“Practise Makes Progress!”

We were delighted that we were able to physically visit the students from Sturton by Stow for a fun filled day of Athletics, alongside the wonderful Marilyn Okoro OLY.

After this uncertain year, recent findings from the Youth Sports Trust state that 73% of teachers have reported children returning with low levels of physical fitness and 49% have noticed mental well-being issues in pupils including anxiety and fear due to the effects of lockdown. Therefore, Team Mintridge were thrilled that we were able to deliver an active and exciting programme to the children from Sturton by Stow, led by the incredibly inspiring Marilyn Okoro who was full of motivational messages and words of advice.

At the very start of this wonderful programme, Marilyn delivered a whole school assembly to all of the classes from Sturton by Stow. Marilyn spoke about the highs and lows of her Olympic career and the life lessons she has learnt from it. She inspired the students and told them that…

“Winners don’t always come in first place.”

Marilyn wanted the students to learn from every experience you say yes to and you have to persevere and be resilient when faced with a setback. Marilyn also highlighted the importance of her support network and how much they helped her to be the best she could be, explaining to the students that you always need to appreciate those around you.

As the fun physical athletics sessions started, Marilyn got everyone moving, jumping, dancing and twisting to her favourite songs, which the children from Sturton by Stow Primary School loved and all got involved in. After this, using her elite knowledge, she taught the children how to use their arms efficiently when running, without moving or twisting their torso or legs. Marilyn had a main focus for these sessions on enhancing your functional movement, as this is what she used in her own training sessions with the Olympic GB Squad.

Throughout this fantastic day, Marilyn set up multiple circuits for the students at Sturton, working on lots of muscles in their body to improve their strength and fitness. Marilyn was extremely impressed by their levels of perseverance and that even when it got tough and their bodies started to ache, no one gave up! From this, the students were inspired, as Marilyn spoke about the importance of always working hard and putting 110% effort into everything you do.

“Hard work outdoes talent that doesn’t want to work hard.”

At the end of each session, the students were desperate to ask Marilyn lots of questions about the Olympics, her medals and her training routine, here are some of the best ones…

When did you start doing athletics?

What is your least favourite sport?

How many Olympics have you competed at?

What was your favourite thing to do when you were younger?

How do you run faster?

What does it feel like to watch the Olympics?

Which medal is your favourite?

Who inspired you to start running?

Who is the funniest person on Team GB?

Thank you to the teachers from Sturton by Stow for helping us to organise this fantastic programme, we really appreciate your support and for allowing us to continue our work with your wonderful students. We hope to visit you again next term!

If you are interested in a virtual or physical Programme with Marilyn Okoro 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.

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