Ellie Soutter Foundation Announces Funding
The Ellie Soutter Foundation has announced funding for its fourth athlete – British team snowboarder, Maisie Potter. The foundation’s aim is to help young athletes at all levels with funding for their journeys and ensure they receive the kind of support and training that can help identify mental health issues that can arise from the pressures they are often placed under and help prevent the situation that ultimately led to Ellie Soutter taking her own life on her 18th birthday.
Potter (age 22), from Snowdonia, North Wales, started her professional career at the age of 19 and has held the title of British Snowboardcross Champion on three occasions and now competes on the Europa and World Cup circuits. The foundation has committed €2,000 of funding to help fund the last season, as well a further €2,000 for the 2020-21 winter.
Maisie learned to ski at the age of 6 on dry slope in North Wales and on family holidays. At the age of 8, she moved to Chamonix and the following year, strapped on a snowboard and joined the Chamonix Snowboard Club before being selected for the GB Snowboard Team. Maisie won 3 consecutive British Championship titles in the overall category (first time age 13) and represented the UK at the 2013 Youth Olympics. Maisie made her European Cup debut at age 18 and World Cup debut a year later.
Key achievements
- 2nd - Europa Cup, Puy St Vincent - Jan 2020
- 14th - World Championships, Sierra Nevada - March 2017
- 6th - World Cup Team event, Veysonnaz - March 2017
- Multiple British Overall Champion titles & FIS podiums
- About Ellie and The Ellie Soutter Foundation
Maisie and Ellie were good friends and grew up training and competing together before Ellie tragically died in 2018.
As well as the financial package, the foundation will also provide chiropractor sessions, massages, and a contact for a therapist – all funded through the charity.
Potter said: “I am very grateful for the support that The Ellie Soutter Foundation has provided me for this year and next. I think it is amazing what they have set up and Ellie would be so proud of their achievements so far. From my own personal experiences, I think it's a really valuable cause. This season has finally proved that I’m back from injury after a career best result earlier this year and finishing 5th in the Europa Cup overall ranking despite the end of the season not taking place. Next winter, the goal is to start cracking top 16’s at World Cup especially as it also marks the beginning of the next Olympic cycle so I will work hard in order to be where I need to be come Beijing 2022”.
Tony Soutter, Founder of the Ellie Soutter Foundation and Ellie’s dad, said: “I am so pleased that the Ellie Soutter foundation has been able to support Maisie Potter. Maisie is a very accomplished GB athlete and very likely will be selected to represent GB at the next Winter Olympics. Maisie also trained and competed alongside Ellie a few years back and they became great friends, so to me as a father it is lovely to know we would have Ellie’s full support on this funding. The foundation looks forward to being associated with Maisie for many years to come. Well done Maisie and be assured we will be right beside you going forward.”
Ellie Soutter was one of the most progressive Junior Female Snowboard Athletes of Great Britain. Ellie became Vice Champion of the world in the Junior Freeride World Tour in 2017. She was winner of a Bronze medal for Team GB at the 2017 European Youth Olympics and was tipped to be one of GBs strongest contenders for the 2022 winter Olympics amongst other numerous podium finishes throughout Europe and the southern hemisphere. As a junior athlete coming from a family without substantial wealth, Ellie often had to miss out on competing and training through lack of funds. She felt and understood the constant pressure to obtain the necessary funds for her training and events.
She tragically died on her 18th birthday in the resort of Les Gets, France, where she was based. Ellie’s family then decided to form The Ellie Soutter Foundation in her memory to help and assist other young winter athletes in similar circumstances.
