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Great Athletes launched in Scotland!

Our most recent athletic additions to the Great Athletes team are GB Swimmer Caitlin McClatchey, GB Hammer Thrower Chris Bennett, GB Judo Champion Theo Spalding and GB para-athlete Jo Butterfield. We can’t wait to see these inspiring athletes visiting schools, doing fitness circuits, and are eager to help motivate the next generation get enthused about sport.

Having started swimming at the age of 3 and training at the age of 11, Caitlin McClatchey is an example of what hard work from a young age can achieve. It’s hard to believe that when she started she was actually no good at swimming! Having competed as an international swimmer for 10 years, and with three Olympic Games up her sleeve as well as a double gold win for Scotland at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Caitlin has recently announced her retirement! However, she is still passionate about inspiring the next generation so primary school kids across Scotland should get their swimming costumes at the ready…after a visit from Caitlin, everyone is going to be ready for a splash in the pool!

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Scotland’s very own Glaswegian Chris Bennett took up Hammer Throwing in 2005 and has catapulted himself into the top rankings, going from strength to strength with a throw of 74.66m at his most recent competition in Loughborough earlier this year. Having endured many bumps along the way, including the death of his coach last year, Chris is ready to inspire kids to never give up.

 

 

 

Five times British Champion Theo Spalding grew up in East London and took up Judo as a way of keeping out of trouble. He has many achievements tied under his black belt now, as he is also a European Cup Medallist, Commonwealth Champion and 1st place Heart of England Champion! Theo believes that there is so much more to sport than just physical activity and he is ready to inspire the schools of Scotland with his compelling story.

 

Paralympic Club and Discuss thrower Jo Butterfield had been playing wheelchair rugby since suffering a spinal cord injury in 2011, when she was accepted onto a UK Sport Talent ID programme called ‘Girls4Gold’. Jo embraced the new challenge of transferring to athletics and could never have guessed the change it would bring about in her life! Just after 5 months of getting to grips with her new sport, Jo achieved her first GB selection for the 2014 European Championships and successfully returned home with not only a gold medal but also a new European record! She is now working hard for Rio 2016 and is excited to inspire the Scottish schools with her motto: “If you never quit you have never failed!”

We are really excited to have launched into Scotland with such an incredible line up of athletes. If you would like these inspirational athletes to visit your school, then get in touch quick as events are already getting booked up!

Call the Great Athletes team now on 01223 792200

“A happy swimmer is a good swimmer”, says Jo Jackson!

The whole school was led by Olympic swimmer Jo Jackson and sportivater Kevin in a fitness circuit consisting of 4 different exercises: Spotty Dogs, Leg Drives, Press Ups and Star Jumps. After breaking a sweat, everyone gathered to hear an inspirational assembly from Jo and had the chance to ask some questions. They found out that Jo’s Olympic bronze medal is her favourite medal and she would never trade it for anything in a million years!

Isobel and Sophie, from Year 6, said: “She was motivational and inspirational; we all want to do more sports after this experience.” Read more…

James Kirton works up a sweat at Hedon Primary!

The challenge was to complete his fitness circuit so that Hedon Primary could raise sponsorship for new PE equipment at their school and also to support other sporting charities.

Every year group took part and worked up a sweat! James then gave an assembly and inspired the pupils by explaining how being an Olympian didn’t come easy – it took years of dedication and hard work. James represented Great Britain in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the Mens 200m Breaststroke and has demonstrated the outcome of sticking to his motto: “Believe in your dreams!” Read more…

Peter Bakare aces Augustine!

Did you know that an ‘Ace’ is a serve which lands in the receiving team’s court without being touched by the receiving team, or one that is touched by only one member of the receiving team, and is not passed legally back over the net?

Peter Bakare didn’t just inspire the students of St Augustine’s with his volleyball skills though…he got everyone on their feet for a fun-filled fitness circuit because he is passionate about showing the younger generations that sport is not only a vital ingredient for a healthy lifestyle, it is really enjoyable too!

The whole school also participated in a special assembly where they heard all about Peter’s career and learnt about what hard work can achieve. All the children had the opportunity to ask Peter any questions they wanted to. Read more…

Meghan Beesley visits Winshill

GB Athlete Meghan Beesley specialises in the 400m hurdles. She won a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and is now training hard for the 2016 Olympics. Winshill Primary School were put through their paces in a fitness circuit led by the athlete and also took part in an inspirational assembly where the children had the opportunity to ask questions about Meghan’s journey as an athlete. The school have raised money for some new PE equipment and have been motivated by Meghan’s motto: “Don’t worry that your best won’t be good enough. Have a go at everything, don’t quit, try your hardest and you will have no regrets.”

Ben Rushgrove…from Beijing to Bromham

Ben Rushgrove, who has cerebral palsy, is passionate about inspiring the next generation to lead healthy active lives. He got St Nicholas School on their feet, showing them that fitness can be fun by leading them in an exciting exercise circuit. He also shared his experiences of Beijing 2008 Olympics and life as an athlete, giving the pupils the opportunity to ask questions.

PE co-ordinator Clare Kitts said: “It was a fantastic afternoon and all the children were really enthused and a bit star stuck. Ben was such a character and the talk he gave to the school was very inspirational.” Read More…

The Gazette & Herald are also talking about it!

GB Paralympic Footballer scores big in Banbury

GB paralympic footballer Alistair Patrick-Heselton dropped into William Morris Primary School in Banbury to lead a sponsored fitness circuit with its pupils. Alistair has played in the Paralympic World Championships and also scored against Argentina in the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

He is currently training hard for the next Olympic games in Rio de Janiero next year and inspired William Morris pupils by giving an inspirational assembly about his journey as an athlete, as well as giving a question and answer session.

Tracy Simms, PE co-ordinator at the school said: “This event was all about getting children to enjoy their sports. I am new at the school and want to get lots of after school clubs running and Alistair was telling the children to go for their goals. He was such a lovely person and it was fantastic for him to come to the school.”

Children at the school were asked to bring in sponsor money ahead of the event, which will be used to buy sports equipment for the school and support Team GB athletes and paralympic athletes.

Paratriathlete picks up the pace at Gipsey Bridge

Various exercises and challenges were given to Gipsey Bridge Academy when Clare Cunningham gave them a special visit. Having led a fun-filled fitness circuit for the whole school, she also gave an inspirational assembly, telling the children how she became so successful and answering their questions.

At age 12, Clare was selected to join the British Paralympic Swimming Squad and competed in the 1992 and 1996 Paralympic Games. Since retiring from swimming, she took up running to keep fit and has now become a Paratriathlete! Clare has won a medal at every World Championships since 2009!

Gipsey Bridge School said: “It was a very inspiring, motivating and energetic afternoon!” Read more…

Commonwealth gymnast lands at Leigh Beck

The whole school took part in a sponsored fitness circuit run by Danny and Sportivator Jules. Everyone took part and was shown how fun sport can be…everyone also got very hot and sweaty! Danny then led an inspirational assembly, captivating the children (and teachers!) with his extraordinary flips and rolls.

The fun and fitness enjoyed by all also managed to raise money for new sports equipment for the school, as well as supporting athletes like Danny in their training.

Leigh Beck School said: “It was a fantastic experience enjoyed by the school staff and children.” Read more…

Rion Pierre sprints into Langenhoe Primary School

Rion Pierre, the team GB sprinter, led an intensely fun fitness session at Langenhoe and gave a very inspiring assembly to all the children. Despite being exhausted from all the fitness fun, staff and pupils even managed to race Rion, who is one of the world’s fastest men over a short distance!

The fitness circuit also raised money for new PE equipment, as well as supporting our nation’s athletes. The children are excited to receive their prizes as they collect up their sponsorship money! Read more…