Olympic athlete visits Gosport school and inspires pupils

The beach volleyball player visited Brockhurst Junior School in Gosport as part of the Sports for School scheme.

The project looks to get children into sport as well as raising money for new equipment and supporting Team GB Olympic athletes financially.

During the visit Chris and Leon Taylor, from the scheme, had the children completing circuits including press-ups and star jumps.

The pupils from the school in Avery Lane were put through their paces carrying out the different exercises to music.

Year 6 pupil Lucy O’Rielly said she enjoyed playing the games with Chris.

The 10-year-old added: ‘The day was fun.

‘I enjoyed it because we got the chance to practise sport with Chris.’

Fellow Year 6 pupil Megan Walker said it was great meeting Chris.

‘I was happy when we heard that Chris was coming into the school,’ she said.

‘It was a lifetime opportunity for me as you don’t really meet such a person every day. I felt inspired to practise more sport.’

Ten-year-old Daniel Walker added: ‘I loved doing exercises with him. I enjoyed it as it was challenging.’

After completing the exercises in their year groups, the pupils were given a presentation on the School for Sport Scheme by Leon, and Chris told them how he got into volleyball and how they can get into their favourite sport.

For athlete Chris, who competed in the 2012 London Olympics and is hoping to qualify for Rio this summer, visiting the school was a great opportunity to share his story.

He said: ‘It was good to tell the children about how I got into sport.

‘I started out at school when I was around their age and I hope to inspire them.

‘I want the visit to leave a reminder of what they can achieve if they work hard and really give sport a go.’

As part of the Sports for School scheme, the children will hold a sponsored sport circuit at the school.

Money raised from the charity event will be split with half going to the school to buy new PE equipment and the rest funding Team GB Olympians.

Leon said: ‘The Sports for School project has a multi-purpose.

‘It encourages the kids to become interested in the Olympics and learning about the athletes.

‘But it also makes them realise the opportunities available to them.’

Chris, who plays volleyball with teammate Jake Sheaf, will be travelling to Rio soon to compete in qualifications before more competitions in Qatar and Turkey.