Sports students from Burgess Hill School for Girls met Dame Kelly Holmes DBE on Wednesday 21st September at the ‘Girls Go Gold’ conference.
The Year 10 and 11 students met the double gold Olympic medallist at the Girls’ Schools Association’s (GSA) conference at Edgbaston High School for Girls in Birmingham.
The conference was held in the school’s auditorium and was attended by top young sportswomen who represent their county or country in sport and those studying GCSE, AS and A2 PE at GSA schools across the UK. The purpose of the conference was to inspire girls to pursue excellence in sport.
The conference was opened by Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport and Dame Kelly gave the keynote speech. Hannah England, who won the World Champion Silver medal in the Women’s 1500m at the Athletics World Championships 2011 in Daegu, Korea last month, was there to answer questions from the girls.
The event included sessions led by specialists on sports psychology, sports physiology, sports nutrition, a day in the life of an elite performer and the Olympic Games.
Before the event Dame Kelly said, “I am delighted to be speaking at this year's ‘Girls Go Gold’ conference. It is important to have a platform to encourage both sport in schools and the participation of women in sport; attendees at ‘Girls Go Gold’ will feel empowered and the event serves as an inspiring and motivational day for all young sportswomen. I am very much looking forward to meeting everyone.”