ELITE athletes at a Thorne academy have been put through their paces by a former England rugby captain.
Gifted sportsmen and women in Year 8 at Trinity Academy, who have been identified for their talent in football, netball, rugby, swimming and gymnastics, put their leadership and teamwork skills to the test in a session with Rob Vickerman, England Sevens captain during 2009-2012.
Rob, who comes from Beverley and started his career with Leeds Tykes, retired from the game earlier this year and now works as an athlete mentor in the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme, as a motivational speaker and rugby commentator.
"It's not about me, it's about trying to relate to the the students with a story and how the experiences I've had in sport can have a positive influence in all areas of life. For example, sport teaches you discipline, respect for others and leadership," he said.
"All these students are leaders; being identified as gifted means others will look up to them. But leadership comes in many forms - picking up litter in school is leadership."
The 20 students heard about the six keys to success as identified by the British Athletes Commission, including mental toughness, breaking down barriers and hunger to achieve, before putting them into action in practical sessions.
PE teacher at Trinity Academy Katie O'Brien, who organised the visit, said: "It's fantastic for the students to benefit from Rob's experience and apply what they've learned not just to their sport but also to their schoolwork and their future lives.
"They've learned a lot about themselves and learned skills that they'll soon be putting to use when they lead an event for local primary schools."
It was the second time Rob, who went to Hymers College in Hull and was in the England academy under former England 15s coach Stuart Lancaster, has visited Trinity.
He added: "It's lovely to do this because, for me, school is where it all started. It's great to see the students living out what we talked about in their actions, rather than just being told about it."
