On Monday 17th June, National School Sports Week kicked off to a great start as we welcomed some sporty guests into school.

First up were the original Lionesses (Jan Emms, Chris Lockwood, Leah Caleb, and Gill Sayell), who joined our Years 7 and 8 assembly to talk about their incredible experience in the 1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico; from playing on bumpy park pitches to performing in front of a crowd of over 100,000 at the Azteca Stadium. The Lionesses' story, told in full in the documentary Copa 1971 – The Lost Lionesses, is available on BBC iPlayer.

That same day, we were delighted to welcome former SKY Sports journalist, Anna Allerton (née Edwards, DAHS 2000), who shared her fascinating journey into sports journalism. She spoke about her progression from writing to appearing in front of the camera and her experience of creating a specialist magazine-style show, "Sportswomen," which highlighted various women in sport.

On Tuesday, 18th June, we were joined by former Team GB Swimming Olympian and motivational speaker, Kate Haywood. The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2003 winner, Kate shared her inspiring story of resilience and mental strength. She recounted her intense training regimes, her journey from the Commonwealth Games, through serious injury and rehabilitation, to the 2012 Olympics in London, and her subsequent retirement.

That afternoon, we welcomed former England Cricket Captain, Sir Alastair Cook CBE, who delivered an engaging bowling, batting, and fielding masterclass for our Years 5 and 6 cricketers. Alastair showed the girls how to master throwing a cricket ball with their non-dominant arm, how to quickly and efficiently pick up a cricket ball during fielding and throw it at the stumps and provided batting practice tips in the nets. The girls also had an opportunity for a Q&A with Alastair at the end of the masterclass.

National School Sports Week concluded with a lunchtime talk from alumna Bronwyn Tagg (2019). A competitive swimmer and triathlete during her school years, Bronwyn shared how she managed her time to maximise her fitness and training while meeting the demands of her studies. It was often joked that you never saw Bronwyn with dry hair during her Sixth Form years!

After school, Bronwyn pursued a Sports Business Management degree at Leeds Beckett University. She shared training timetable tips and explained how she balances her job as a Marketing Officer for England & Great Britain Hockey. She also highlighted the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing new opportunities, such as rugby and public speaking.

National School Sports Week has been a really positive experience for our students. The diverse range of guests and activities provided valuable insights into the world of sports and highlighted various career opportunities in the sports industry. This week has encouraged our students to consider their own sporting ambitions and potential careers in sports.