Friends and family have come together to support two Brookesmith High School students as they raise funds to travel and compete in Australia this summer in the Down Under Sports Tournament.

Based on their athletic ability, juniors Nicole Allgood and Riley James were selected by scouts from Down Under Sports Tournaments who watched them compete at the Regional UIL track meet which was held this past spring.  Allgood and James are 2 out of 300 athletes that were chosen from the United States to compete in the Down Under Sports Tournament which will be held on the Gold Coast of Australia in July of 2014.

“They are coached by Mike Labine from Utah, who has also coached U.S. Olympians in the past,” said Julie Allgood, Nicole’s mother.

She stated that the girls have been working hard to raise the funds and are determined to meet their goals.  They will leave on July 6th and fly to Brisbane, Australia where they will then travel to Surfer’s Paradise where they will stay during the meet.

The cost for each girl is approximately $7,000 according to Allgood’s mother Julie.

James is a distance runner and Allgood runs hurdles.  To qualify for the competition, the athletes had to meet requirements of high academic achievement as well.  Athletes participating in the Down Under Sports Tournaments not only compete, but also are considered ambassadors of their community, state and country according to organizers of the tournament.  James and Allgood will be representing the North Central Conference Team during the 26th annual Down Under Sports Tournament.

A Bunco fundraiser is set for Monday night, November 25th to raise funds for the girls.

The public is invited to attend and enjoy a night of Bunco while supporting these athletes beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25th at the Adams Street Community Center

Tickets are $10.00 per person and include a meal.  There will also be door prizes given throughout the evening. Tickets for the Bunco event are available at Hi-way Scrap Metal, the office at Brookesmith ISD, or by calling the girls’ mothers Julie at (325)203-3393 or Christie at (325)330-3542.

Those who wish to help Allgood and James by becoming sponsors may make donations towards the cost of competition, helping them to fulfill this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  To become a sponsor please contact Julie at (325)203-3393 or Christie at (325)330-3542.

About Down Under Sports:  Down Under Sports was founded in February 1989 based upon the dream of a New Zealander by the name of George O’Scanlon. George fell in love with athletics, especially American football (gridiron) as a young man growing up in his native country of New Zealand, and developed the Down Under Sports programs.  Through these competitions, Down Under Sports uses the common language of sports to bridge the continents and provide a forum for athletes from around the globe to compete head to head in the sport they love. During the past twenty-five years, Down Under Sports has had the opportunity to share the land Down Under with tens of thousands of individuals from across the United States. Some prior standouts of the Down Under Bowl include Jake “The Snake” Plummer, past quarterback for the Denver Broncos; Ahman Green, running back for the Green Bay Packers; and Rob Morris, a 2007 Super Bowl Champion with the Indianapolis Colts.

The 2014 Down Under Sports program will include competition in track and field, cross country, wrestling, football, volleyball and basketball. Down Under Sports’ goal is to continue to provide athletes who excel in their sport the opportunity to experience the culture, beauty and grandeur of the land Down Under all within the framework of spirited and intense competition.