HLB athletes on track in Paris

With the Paris Olympic Games still fresh in our memory and the Paralympics soon to get underway, HLB is delighted to have two athletes to support in their endeavors during the games; Sarah Carli from HLB Mann Judd competed in the 400m hurdles event, and HLB Ireland sponsored athlete Richael Timothy competing in para-cycling.

"The partners, team and clients of HLB Mann Judd Wollongong have been incredibly supportive of my career. It’s wonderful to know staff get as excited about hurdling as I do, often watching my races in the office - and even challenging me to a race!" says Carli.

Timothy says she was surprised by HLB Ireland’s willingness to sponsor her. "I was genuinely taken aback by the offer. While the idea of corporate sponsorship had crossed my mind as a potential aid for my career, the reality of such a significant partnership coming to fruition was beyond my immediate expectations."

Timothy and Carli’s participation in qualifying events and the Olympic Games itself not only highlights their exceptional talents and dedication, but also demonstrates HLB’s commitment to supporting the diverse ambitions of its employees outside of the office.

“At HLB, we believe in nurturing the whole person, not just the professional. Supporting Sarah Carli and Richael Timothy in their Olympic and Paralympic pursuits shows our commitment to fostering diverse talents and ambitions within our ecosystem. Their dedication, resilience, and pursuit of excellence in both their athletic and professional careers embody the values we cherish at HLB. We're immensely proud to have these exceptional athletes representing not just their countries, but also the HLB community on the world stage.”  Marco Donzelli, HLB Global CEO

Who are the HLB athletes?

Sarah Carli is a Financial Adviser and an Australian Olympic hurdler who sees her careers in accounting and as an elite athlete as improving each other. "There are a number of synergies between my two roles and one will always benefit from the other. The level of professionalism and communication required in a corporate team environment has greatly benefitted my athletics career. Many people don’t realise being an athlete involves more than just training and competing; there are interviews to be filmed, contracts to be negotiated, networking to be conducted."

Carli adds, "My athletics career has taught me many lessons that have been invaluable in my working career, and in life more generally, including patience and perseverance. The dedication required to compete at a high level has resulted in a strong work ethic, which helps me to remain focused and committed even in challenging situations."

Richael Timothy is an Irish Paralympic athlete competing in cycling who believes her story will motivate other organisations like HLB to support and sponsor more athletes.

HLB IRELAND SPONSORED ATHLETE

"I sincerely hope that my journey and experiences can act as a catalyst for more organisations like HLB Ireland to step forward and support athletes, particularly within the Paralympic community where financial resources can be more limited." she said. "The relationship between athletes and corporate sponsors can be extraordinarily beneficial, providing much-needed financial support while also helping to elevate awareness and transform societal perceptions regarding the abilities and potential of disabled athletes."

For Timothy, sports offer an opportunity for self-improvement. "By sharing my personal experiences, I aim to inspire others with disabilities to consider the Paralympics as a realistic and rewarding goal. This is particularly crucial for those who might not have been born with disabilities but have acquired them later in life. Sports offer a compelling avenue for self-improvement and overcoming various life challenges, providing a sense of accomplishment and community that can be transformative."

Preparation and performance

Whether it’s providing funding for equipment or flexibility, HLB has been able to help.  "When HLB Ireland offered sponsorship, it was an opportunity to upgrade my equipment to the best of the best. As an athlete I get myself into the best shape possible but through this sponsorship my equipment now follows suit," says Timothy.

For Carli, a standout moment where the support of HLB Mann Judd was imperative involved qualifications for the world relay championships this past March. "I received a call from the relay coach at Athletics Australia who advised they were adding a final race within the qualifying period in Queensland in a week’s time. Given I wasn’t aware of this at the time, I had already booked a number of client meetings. Fortunately, however, HLB Mann Judd Wollongong were incredibly accommodating, and were happy to move the meetings online so I could make the race in Queensland."

PAUL BOTTELE AND SARAH CARLI; HLB MANN JUDD WOLLONGONG