Mintridge Silver Netball Programme with England Superstar, Eboni Usoro Brown, July 2020
Mintridge Silver Netball Programme with England Superstar, Eboni Usoro Brown, July 2020
What a 6 months! Where has time gone?
Covid – 19 might have impacted the intended Silver Mentoring Programme for Eboni Usoro – Brown and her Gresham’s School mentees, but has there been a more important time for young people to have a positive role model to help and support them through this difficult time?
Following on from England Netballer, Eboni Usoro – Brown’s coaching day with Gresham’s School netballers in January, to get them set for the season ahead, two players were chosen by the Mintridge Ambassador to receive 1-1 remote mentoring for the next six months. Delivered in a safeguarded environment, the two students had fortnightly calls with the Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist to build on the legacy of Eboni’s visit and help impact their lives positively both on and off the court. They were chosen as they showed a great potential throughout the day and an energy to learn from someone that has achieved so much in the game.
Ella and Maria would call Eboni each fortnight on a Sunday evening sharing their passion for the sport that Eboni loves so much. Calls began by looking at netball focussed areas such as goal setting for the season ahead, coping with injury and the mindset of “THE COMEBACK IS ALWAYS GREATER THAN THE SETBACK”. Eboni stressed the importance of a support network and how this enabled her to reach the dazzling heights in the coveted red dress.
Focus quickly turned to the impact of the global pandemic. One of our key focusses here at the Mintridge Foundation is to showcase how elite athletes are very human too and these calls bridged that gap even more. Everyone found themselves in a very similar position, no matter who or where you were. Eboni and her mentees looked at methods together to maintain structure during these difficult times, stay connected with friends and loved ones as well as using the newfound time positively. These Gresham’s girls certainly did that, encouraged by the Team Bath Captain, they looked at upskilling themselves in different areas to add to their CV and even just for fun with friends. We are itching to see these now found haberdashery skills that we have heard all about!
“USE YOUR VOICE FOR CHANGE, NO MATTER THE TOPIC”
Black Lives Matter became a huge area of discussion for so many following George Floyd’s death. Eboni and her mentees spoke honestly about the impact of this and how we should use our voices for change. We all have the power to do that.
What the Mintridge team love more than anything is hearing not only of the impact the mentors have with the mentees, but how much our role models learn from the students – it is a reciprocal relationship. This was evident from the word go with Eboni, Ella and Maria as Eboni’s energy after each call was infectious and a special bond has begun that will last a lifetime.
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We would like to wish Ella, Maria and the Gresham’s Netballing Community well and we can’t wait to stay in touch and here about your progress both on and off the court.
We look forward to returning to Gresham’s soon when it is safe to do so to build on the growing love of netball and female sport.
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If you are interested in a mentoring programme with Eboni Usoro – Brown or another of our inspirational Mintridge Ambassadors, please contact Alex Wallace.
