We were back with the staff and students at Howell’s School for another of our Mintridge Bronze Presentation Programmes. This time it was Laura Sugar’s turn to share her story and speak to the students about her experiences competing at the top level in three different sports.

The Mintridge team have really enjoyed these special presentations with the Howell’s School students, during the last two terms. With many of the students who attend the presentations having their own aspirations to compete at the top level and some already enrolled on the school’s Talented Athlete Programme, it is no surprise that the specific advice that they heard from our Mintridge Ambassadors, really resonates with everyone involved.

Laura’s journey is incredibly interesting, and it was certainly inspiring to hear that Laura was told as a child that she would not make it as a sportswoman, due to her disability. When Laura covered this part of her story, it really made the students think about how they can achieve their goals and go up against a lot of setbacks and people not believing in them, to come out stronger and achieve even more than they set out to do.

As an athlete who has competed nationally for Wales, which the students from Howell’s School loved to hear, and also as an athlete competing at the Paralympic games in Athletics and now on her way to Tokyo as a Paracanoe competitor, it was no surprise that Laura had a lot of stories and poignant messages to share with the students around teamwork and also the support network needed to achieve at such a high level. Laura also mentioned that not only did you need to be resilient when faced with a challenge or when a plan did not quite work out as you intended, she spoke about the challenges that come with injuries in sport and it is how you come back from those injuries that can really define your career.

The athletes at Howell’s School all compete in different sports, so it was incredibly beneficial for the students involved to hear the ins and out of Laura’s experience whilst playing for Wales as part of a hockey squad and how that compares to competing as an individual.

As the presentation went on, Laura reiterated what is needed on the lead up to a big competition and the preparation that goes into that one moment that can define your career. With some reassuring words of advice from Laura, the students could take away some key messages from her that would then help them when they come to taking exams, assessments or even going to trials for their sport.

There were some brilliant questions from the students at Howell’s School. Some of the best ones were;

How do you find having two different coaches pulling you in two different directions?

Do the coaches you have work together and complement each other? 

Are there any other disability sports you would like to watch or try?

How many hours a week do you train? 

When you tore your hamstring which leg was it?

How has your training been affected over the last 12 months?

Did you have to work more on your reflexes when playing hockey or did you have to adapt your game?

Did you ever dislike your body because of your disability, or did you accept it?

Did family or friends ever put you down or talk badly about your disability?

Who was the most supportive on your journey?

Laura reiterated some of her key learnings and things that she wanted the students to think about at on their own journeys that have helped her throughout her career, and we could not agree more!

Laura said, “Just say yes to things, enjoy it and throw yourself into it!”

We were delighted to be able to join the students from Howell’s School with the amazing and inspirational Laura Sugar. Thank you again to the staff at Howell’s School for helping to organise this amazing programme and allowing us to virtually visit you. We can’t wait for our next visit with a few more of our inspirational female role models!

At The Mintridge Foundation, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to hear the stories and experience the power of our exceptional Mintridge role models have on the young people we work with. We know that having a role model who can support you, influence you and offer you advice that can help you on your own journey and pathway, can be extremely beneficial.
If you are interested in a Programme with Laura Sugar or any of our other Mintridge Ambassadors, or you are interested in a Virtual or Physical Programme with one of our team of 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.

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