Olympian Keesja Gofers thanks Dietitian Connection after Paris 2024 silver medal triumph

She left Paris with her baby daughter on her hip and a silver medal in her pocket – the hard work and determination had paid off. 

But water polo player Keesja Gofers has revealed how none of it would have been possible without fundraising from Dietitian Connection.

The Australian business signed up to support Keesja through our $1 Million Challenge, powered by Ampol, and has so far raised almost $6,000 of the $10,000 goal.

Reflecting on the recent victory at Paris 2024, the Stingers star said she couldn’t have done it without the support of our $1 Million Challenge, powered by Ampol. 

Keesja, who lives at Dolls Point in southern Sydney, said the extra funding support, enabled her to travel to Paris with her biggest fans, 17-month-old daughter Teleri and husband Scott. 

“The AAF challenge is an awesome initiative and I’m so grateful to be a part of it,” she said. 

“To have Dietitian Connection supporting me has been amazing and really helped with fundraising efforts. 

“To have been able to have my daughter and husband in Paris with me, cheering me on from the poolside, meant the world to me and made a huge difference emotionally and mentally. 

“Being a mum is so important to me and has been an integral part of my journey in training for these Games. 

“Winning the silver medal with my family looking on was just an incredible feeling – there is nothing else like it and I’m so proud of the team and what we have achieved.” 

Following her pregnancy, Keesja, 34, only had a small timeframe to return to training before Paris 2024, so the pressure was on. 

She said as well as financial support from the $1 Million Challenge, the mentoring had proved invaluable. 

“It’s so important for athletes today to have skills to equip them for success,” she said. 

“It’s about knowing how to develop your brand and how to get sponsors. There are lots of educational facets to the partnership that I found really helpful.” 

Dietitian Connection Director and avid sports watcher Maree Ferguson had never met Keesja, but was keen to be a part of her journey to Paris 2024.

“We had Nat speak at our Dietitians Unite annual event in Sydney in May and I immediately admired her passion and energy,” she said. 

“I knew about the debts involved in sport but not the full extent of it.  

"It was so exciting to see Keesja win the silver medal. To have been able to play a part in someone’s success in something they are so passionate about is a lovely feeling.  We also wanted to highlight the important role that seeing a dietitian can have in an athlete’s success. 

“Our support doesn’t end here because we have a $10,000 target to reach and so we’ll be discussing some sponsorship opportunities in the coming weeks.” 

Meanwhile, Keesja is taking a break from water polo and is hoping to get Maree’s advice on adjusting her diet now that she’s no longer training. 

Instead, she will continue to work on her florist business, The Floral Architect, and is also studying a Master of Teaching, as well as looking after Teleri. 

“It’ll be a little bit of a break, but not much,” said Keesja. 

“It’s good to have something to do when the Games is over, and I think you must so that when it ends, you aren’t struggling financially. 

“There are lots of reasons people get involved in sport, but I do water polo because I love it, not because of the money.” 

To be a part of the $1 Million Challenge visit our donation page.