Youth Sport Trust

“Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, a vision.” Muhammad Ali (World HeavyWeight Champion Boxer) On Thursday 27th January 2022 Youth Sport Trust athlete mentor Neil Danns paid a visit to the college to inspire some of our young learners. Neil worked with and provided training to a group of year 9 students as part of their ‘Active in Mind’ programme.  Neil spent the morning talking to the students about his sporting career and the struggles he faced in becoming a 2 x British and European skateboarding champion.  The students then spoke to Neil about the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing, discussing the many causes of stress and anxiety faced by young people today and the role sport and physical activity can play in helping alleviate these stressors. Following their training our year 9 mentors will now plan and deliver six wellbeing sessions, working with a group of year 8 students to support their mental health and wellbeing.  Their first session followed on from their work with Neil, focusing on causes of stress and anxiety.  Mentors spoke confidently about developing coping strategies and highlighted the support that can be accessed both inside and outside of school. Their second session was delivered as part of children’s mental health week.  Our mentors invited the group for a ‘wellbeing breakfast.’ students enjoyed a healthy breakfast, chatting with friends and listening to music before discussing the importance of diet and physical activity and the positive affect it can have on mental health and wellbeing.  Mrs Ronan then led the students through some meditation exercises that they can utilise when faced with stressful situations.