CASE STUDY:TRIATHLETE PUSHES EXAM PREPARATION AND LINKS INTO BTEC SPORT TOPIC

Host:
Etone Community College, Nuneaton
 
Date of Visit:
8th March 2012
 
Number of Pupils Involved:
300
 
Athlete:
Matt Gunby, Triathlete
 
 

WHAT HAPPENED?

  • Addressing a year 11 assembly involving students who are facing exams: Matt discussed his journey through education and finding his path into triathlon.
  • He explained the structure and organisation and what is needed in elite sport to get to the top, and linked this to the students' exam preparation and ongoing lifestyle choices.
  • With a group of year 8 and 12 students, (in which the year 12 group were BTEC Sport students) Matt delivered a presentation on the nutrition of an elite athlete and talked about his approach to psychology to link in with their current module.
  • He finished with an activity workshop involving the school's ‘gifted and talented' individuals who got to experience a duathlon style practical workout session, and other drills which they could apply to their own sports.

KEY MESSAGES TIED IN

  • Hard work outweighs talent: Matt told his story of how he believes that hard work, courage and commitment outweighs talent and that it was his perseverance to make it in sport that led him to a full time career in triathlon.
  • Choices take time but this is no excuse: Matt only realised his path was in elite sport in the past couple of years so worked hard throughout school in order to obtain a solid education to fall back on.
  • Nutrition and its effects on performance: See Matt's presentation.
  • Sports psychology techniques and transferring these to other settings: Using nerves in a positive way and performing under pressure. He spoke about techniques he had learned in order to turn negative feelings into positives.

WHAT WAS THE IMPACT?

  • Positive reinforcement for GCSE group taking exams.
  • Bringing BTEC Sport related modules to life.
  • Giving gifted and talented students a taste of a life in sport including guidance on progression.

"The Athletes Schools Scheme is a brilliant way to engage young people in the 2012 London Olympics and to inspire them through the values of sport. The scheme is very unique as it gives school children the opportunity to step into the life of an Olympic athlete and gives teachers the chance to use this to promote many educational values."

Jessica Ennis

"…I know this is an experience the students will never forget. It is a fantastic opportunity for schools to become involved with their local elite athletes and build on the excitement of the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games"

Ali Trippick Oldfield School, Bath visited by Dai Greene

"I think it's a fantastic gesture from Barrie. These kids have probably been deprived of an awful lot of things that people take for granted and for them to come along, come upstairs, sit in comfort, have a bit of food, come out and watch the game, watch Liverpool win hopefully, then I'm sure it will be a dream come true for them and it will be something they will talk about for a long, long time."

Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool FC's Manager