The GDST Sports Scholars’ Day was created to inspire, develop and nurture the talented athletes within the Girls’ Day School Trust

WHAT A DAY!

On the back of a very successful first Sports Scholars’ Day in 2022, the GDST and The Mintridge Foundation came together again on Friday 10th February 2023 for another spectacular day. Our day inspired and enhanced the sporting and academic growth of this year’s GDST Sports Scholars, and helped guide them on their own journeys to success.

We were delighted to bring together 19 schools from the GDST from across the country and over 320 students to spend their day with our team of medal-winning Olympians, Paralympians, award-winning founders and highly acclaimed individuals from the world of sport.

With the want and desire to inspire, nurture and develop the next generation of young people, our Mintridge Foundation Ambassadors and deliverers led 13 different workshops during our day, that we intentionally designed to create those magical lightbulb moments that can’t be found in a textbook or webpage.

The accumulative years of experience and breadth of expertise in the room during our day, allowed the students to learn new skills and grow their minds and bodies. The opportunity to work with a team of Ambassadors who have ‘been there and done it’ on the journey that so many of them are also striving towards, was a once in a lifetime moment for these Scholars.

As a Foundation, we know that young people need inspirational role models to guide them on their journeys and be a supporter when faced with a setback, bump in the road or a challenging time inside and outside the world of sport. The power of sporting role models is evident on a day like this, as we bring together the best in their fields and create a fantastic opportunity for the students to seek advice from a relatable role model, and someone who can inform them on the path they are choosing to take.

Keep scrolling to find out more about the workshops we delivered and who joined us on the day.

INSPIRE

NURTURE

DEVELOP

Our Inspirational Workshops

To bring the day to a close, the GDST Sports Scholars gathered together in the main hall to listen to and take part in the live panel and Q&A with our selected Ambassadors. This was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to hear their opinions on what they do and have done in the past to help manage stress and pressure. The Ambassadors also shared more about how they have made it to the top of their game, even when faced with a challenge. This was a fantastic opportunity for the scholars in the room to see Jordan do what he does best and put his Channel 4 News and Sports journalist experience in action on the panel too.

During our day, the Ambassadors and deliverers were on the lookout for Sports Scholars who really stood out during their sessions and showed the characteristics of a promising young athlete. Those students were then put forward at the end of the day to receive an amazing Silver Mentoring Programme with Shona McCallin MBE. We are delighted that Lauren from Brighton Girls School and Phoebe from Howell’s School were selected out of the hat to receive this once-in-a-lifetime programme, and we can’t wait to get them started on this journey with Shona.

Ending our day on a huge high, the GDST Schools departed the day to start their weekends and a few stayed behind for their selfies and catch-up moments with the Ambassadors. It was amazing to see the Scholars relishing their chance to meet their idols and taking so much from their time with the Ambassadors on the day. We know there were a lot of smiling faces, autograph cards and celebratory moments being shared on the bus journeys home!  

Thank you to all of the staff and students that joined us for the GDST Sports Scholars’ Day. We are so pleased that during this day we were able to inspire over 320 pupils and guide them on their own path to sporting success or otherwise.

A special thanks to the staff at Sutton High School, who helped the GDST and Mintridge Foundation bring this day together and help coordinate the workshops throughout the day with their PE staff.

We are very grateful to Mrs Ceri Crawford and the whole of the GDST for supporting this GDST Sports Scholars’ Day and working with The Mintridge Foundation to bring it all together for a very inspirational event.

We look forward to hopefully welcoming all of the students back next year for another great event and we wish all of the Sports Scholars the best of luck for the rest of theie academic and sporting journeys.

If you are interested in a virtual or physical mentoring Programme with any of the Mintridge Foundation Ambassadors, then please get in touch via the Mintridge website or with Katie. To access the photos from the event, please contact a member of the Mintridge team or complete your feedback form sent separately.

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 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.

If you would like to understand more about our mentoring programmes with sporting role models and how they can support the young people at your school or club, please contact Katie Smith.

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

Unit 4, Shieling Court

Northfolds Road

Corby

Northants

NN18 9QD

Tel: +44 (0) 1536 447106

info@mintridge.org.uk 

www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk

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