“If I do the work in training, I know mentally I am confident and physically I am prepared!” – The Sports Scholars at Oundle School are put to the test by Nekoda Davis OLY during their Sports Scholar Programme

What does it take to become a professional athlete?... Well, Nekoda Davis OLY is the perfect person to tell you. During our Bronze Sports Scholar Programme at Oundle School, Nekoda Davis OLY shared just that and more with the budding Sports Scholars, who all hope that one day they can compete at the top level in their chosen sports.

During Mental Health Awareness Day, we had the pleasure of visiting Laxton Junior School and Oundle School for a very inspirational programme with Nekoda Davis OLY. This programme is the first of a series of programmes for these schools and we are delighted that Nekoda could share the power of sport, role models and how she makes her mental health a priority during this day.

The theme of 2022's World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, was 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’ and Nekoda shared how she does that for herself and others around her.

“If you can reframe the negative thoughts and find new ways to achieve your goals, you will learn so much more about yourself and overcome those challenges and adversities.”

We started our day with Nekoda at Laxton Junior School, where we opened their Mental Health Awareness Day and ‘Yellow Day’ with a short presentation about what it takes to be an elite athlete but also why your mental health is so important, not only in sport but in all areas of your life. The students loved listening to Nekoda share her story and watch her ‘wrestling in pyjamas’ as she showed them all her Judo videos.

This was a brilliant opportunity for the students at Laxton Junior School to learn more about a new sport and what it takes to reach the top of your sport or career. Thanks to the support from Oundle School, we were able to visit the Junior School for this assembly, which was the perfect way to start our day.

It wasn’t long after this assembly that it was time to meet the first group of unsuspecting Sports Scholars from Oundle School. It wasn’t until they walked into the sports hall to find the Judo mats and the one and only Nekoda Davis OLY, did they all realise they would be learning a completely new set of skills during our Mintridge Programme!

Nekoda took her opportunity during this lightbulb moment for the Sports Scholars, to show them a few new things on the Judo mat and prepare them for what it takes to be mentally and physically strong enough to compete for Great Britain. Nekoda shared her sporting journey with the Sports Scholars and explained the challenges, setbacks and lessons she has learnt along the way to what they see as her ‘highlights reel’. There were some really important lessons in this presentation from Nekoda, that will really help support the Scholars on their own individual journeys.

“Medals are how people measure your success, but when you look at my medals nobody sees the journey I have been on to get to that point.”

The Scholars then also took their opportunity to find out more about Nekoda and ask her their burning questions before challenging their Judo skills on the mats.

How many times have you been concussed?

How does your diet impact your mental health?

Did you struggle to come through your twenties having a child and managing that with your sport?

How often do you train per week and what does it include?

Did you trial a lot to be where you are now?

How do you make it into Team GB?

What has been your personal and sporting highlight to date?

Would you say that psychology is a major part of your performance?

How do you deal with pressure and perform when it matters?

It was fantastic to see the Sports Scholars taking on this new practical Judo challenge with Nekoda during our day. After she showed them how to prepare and fall safely, they all got stuck into the technical elements of the Judo skills she showed them. With a few apprehensive faces slowly turning into smiles and enjoyment, the Sports Scholars went from novices to upskilled Judo beginners in a matter of forty five minutes. There was a great sense of achievement all around and a lot of enjoyment taken from watching Nekoda ‘throw’ their members of staff during the sessions.

At the end of each of the Judo sessions, Nekoda handed out signed autograph cards, answered more questions and took photos with the Scholars before awarding her Judo prize to the two students she believed had shown great promise in the session and listened really well to all of her instructions.

Thank you to Oundle School for inviting us to deliver the first of our series of workshops with the Mintridge Ambassadors this year and we look forward to the rest of our Sports Scholar programmes wth you. We hope that the Scholars go on to achieve brilliant things before our next visit but can also reflect on what they learnt during their brand new Judo experience with Nekoda Davis OLY.

To find out more about our bespoke Sports Scholars programme and how The Mintridge Foundation can support your young athletes or students, then please get in touch with a member of the team or Katie via email at katie@mintridge.org.uk

If you would like to understand more about our mentoring programmes with elite athletes and how they can support the young people at your school or club, please also 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 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

info@mintridge.org.uk 

www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk

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