“Your response to the life-changing moment can define the path you create for yourself next” – Laxton Junior School and Oundle School students are challenged outside of their comfort zone by Fil Kamps
What can you control on your path to success?
How can you respond in the face of adversity?
Who can support you on your journey and help you be the best version of yourself?
The Laxton Junior School students and Oundle School Sports Scholars not only found out some of the answers to the questions above, but they also were challenged outside of their comfort zones again during our recent inspirational Deaf Football programme with Fil Kamps.
All of the students we worked with during our day learnt so much from Fil’s story and also how he communicates on and off the football pitch. With aspirations to compete at the top of their game, the budding Sports Scholars at Oundle School also gained an insight into how they can deal with their failures to come back stronger and communicate better with their teachers and coaches in their future training environments.
The staff and students at Laxton Junior School LOVED meeting Fil, learning some new sign language and also focussing on the Deaf Football challenges Fil presented to them. Thanks to Oundle School's support, we visited the Junior School for the assembly and coaching sessions, which we know made a huge impact on the students during our time with them.
It is always one of our favourite things to capture the smiling faces of the students during our day and hand out our awards, medals and signed autograph cards.
It wasn’t long after this assembly and morning of Deaf Football, that it was time to meet the Oundle School Sports Scholars. Last time we visited them, we surprised them with a practical Judo session with the amazing Nekoda Davis, so we could understand their hesitation when they heard Fil would be teaching them Deaf Football.
During our time with the Scholars, Fil shared his sporting journey and explained the challenges, setbacks, and lessons he has learnt along the way.
The Scholars then also took their opportunity to find out more about Fil and Fil then counter-challenged the students back with an alphabet sign language test.
What are the rule differences between Deaf Football to mainstream football?
What were the standards like for you in America?
Do you use sign language on the pitch and how do you communicate with others?
Was it hard to be motivated and do all the work you needed to do to make it to the top?
How quickly did people work out you were deaf?
How did you adapt to others, and what are the challenges you have faced on your journey?
It was fantastic to see the Sports Scholars taking on a new perspective and new challenges with Fil during our day and enjoying their new communication skills during the Deaf Football sessions.
Our Programme with Laxton Junior School and Oundle School was delivered in the lead up to Mental Health Awareness week and we were delighted that Fil could share the power of sport, role models and how he dealt with setbacks and anxiety on his journey.
“Sometimes it is the response to the life-changing moment, the loss or the failure, that defines the path you create for yourself next.”
Thank you to Oundle School for inviting us to deliver this day as part of our series of workshops with the Mintridge Ambassadors this year and we look forward to the rest of our Sports Scholar programmes with you. We also loved our visit to Laxton Junior School as part of this offering from Oundle and we look forward to hopefully visiting them again next year!
To find out more about our bespoke Sports Scholars programme and how The Mintridge Foundation can support your young athletes or students with our mentoring programmes, then please get in touch with a member of the team or Katie.
If you are considering supporting the Mintridge Foundation as a business, organisation or as an individual, head to our SUPPORT US page below.
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.
The Mintridge Foundation
Unit 4, Shieling Court
Northfolds Road
Corby
Northants
NN18 9QD
Tel: +44 (0) 1536 447106
www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk
