Bronze Modern Pentathlon Programme with Jo Muir at Alderbrook Primary School - October 2021

“Being an elite athlete is like making a cake… it takes a lot of different ingredients, a lot of time and patience and you have to keep working at it to make the perfect outcome!”

What a special day at Alderbrook Primary School with the amazing Jo Muir OLY!

Our amazing Ambassador, Jo Muir, current GB Modern Pentathlon athlete and Tokyo 202o Olympian, spent the day inspiring students at Alderbrook Primary School, as part of this fabulous Bronze Modern Pentathlon Programme. Throughout the day, pupils gained some valuable insight during the presentations and coaching sessions, about the life of an Olympian and what it’s like to compete at the top of your game in five different disciplines.

Jo inspired the students to work hard to try and achieve big things and encouraged them throughout the day to take part in all sports, as sport can provide so many opportunities for you to meet new people, take on new challenges and gain valuable opportunities that you may never have had the chance to do. This was especially relevant when listening to Jo talk about the countries, she has been able to visit and competing at the most recent Olympic Games in Tokyo.

During their time with Jo, the students practised their best fencing footwork and fencing techniques in their coaching sessions and got to see and feel some of Jo’s kit from the Olympic Games as well as see her shiny medals from previous competitions. The students were especially lucky during their day to see Jo in action, as she showed them her laser pistol and how difficult it is to shoot at the small electronic target that she brought in to show the students. Jo shared some very poignant messages with the students during her time with them and wanted them to think about how they can persevere and stay resilient in their lives, especially when things get tough for them.

We were amazed to hear that the students were especially excited about trying new sports in their spare time and loved the fencing sessions so much that they wanted to do more of it outside of school!

One student asked Jo when she would be visiting again and if she could come back tomorrow for more fencing fun! We look forward to hopefully seeing lots of future stars from Alderbrook Primary School joining Team GB in the future!

As part of our day, the students relished the opportunity to ask Jo any questions they had and to learn all about her career. Some of the best questions from our day were:

When did you compete in the Olympics?

How do you stay on the horse?

What is your favourite medal?

How hard was it in Tokyo?

How many Olympics have you been to?

Have you ever broken a bone?

Do you know any different languages?

Have you done swimming competitions before?

The students were incredibly enthusiastic throughout their sessions with Jo and each of them walked away with a signed autograph card from Jo, as well as one student from each group leaving the session with a certificate to celebrate their hard work and persistence during the sessions.

It was a brilliant day for the staff and students at Alderbrook Primary School, and in a short space of time, it seems Jo’s excellent fencing sessions really inspired the students to try new sports and keep working towards their goals!

Jo had a fantastic day with the Alderbrook Primary School students, and we are delighted that they got to hear Jo’s story but also have some fun, learning some new skills with her too. We had a very special day with the students at Alderbrook Primary School and we look forward to visiting them again soon with more of our inspirational Ambassadors!

If you would like to see the photos and videos from our time at Alderbrook Primary School, please contact the staff from the school.

See the links below to the following fencing and modern pentathlon clubs near Alderbrook Primary School.

Streatham Fencing Club

Dunraven School, Mount Nod Road, SW16 2QB

Salle Coton

TOOTING LEISURE CENTRE, Greaves Place, SW17 0NE

Brixton Fencing Club

Brixton Recreation Centre, 27 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8QQ

Brixton Sabre

Brixton Recreation Centre, 27 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8QQ

House of Sabre

Brixton Recreation Centre, 27 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8QQ

Whitgift Modern Pentathlon Academy

Whitgift School, Haling Park, SOUTH CROYDON, Surrey, UK

If you are interested in a virtual or physical Programme with Jo Muir OLY or any of our other inspirational Ambassadors, then please get in touch via the Mintridge website at www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk or with Katie at katie@mintridge.org.uk.

The Mintridge Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to enhancing life skills in young people through sport. We provide a support network for young people by harnessing the power of positive sporting role models. The Mintridge Foundation assists young people of all ages, abilities, and physical capabilities to develop confidence and resilience, and creates awareness of the importance of mental and physical wellbeing through sport.

Our team of Ambassadors - Olympians, Paralympians and other professional sports stars from over 20 sports, both team and individual - work with young people in schools, clubs and academies across the UK. Starting with visits including assemblies, coaching clinics and classroom sessions tailored to each organisation’s requirements, our ambassadors can then provide one- on- one remote mentoring in a safeguarded environment, delivered via technology such as FitSwarm and Playwaze to build a lasting legacy for individuals.

The Mintridge Foundation’s successes demonstrate the incredible power of sport; from a mentee’s selection to represent Great Britain in their chosen field to enabling disabled children to find confidence and happiness just through participation. Understanding life after sport, we also support our Ambassadors in their transition from active sport to the next stage of their careers.

To find out more about the Mintridge Foundation, please contact Alex Wallace.