GIRLS’ GO GOLD

Dream Big and Never Give Up

The Girls’ Division was delighted to host one of two Girls Schools’ Association (GSA) Girls Go Gold sports conferences this year. Keynote addresses bookended a day of sporting inspiration, which was attended by 200 girls in Years 10 to 13 from local state schools and top independent schools across the country. In their keynote speeches, Olympic 5000m and 3000m athlete Eilish McColgan told girls to “dream big and never give up” while Olympic medallist and GB’s most successful female artistic gymnast Beth Tweddle said: “If you have a dream, don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve it. With determination, you can achieve it.”

Both sportswomen recapped their careers and recalled trying out various sports before focusing on running and gymnastics respectively. They each spoke candidly about the rigorous training regimes required to succeed and remembered their experiences on Team GB. Beth attended Olympic Games in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 where the roar of the home crowd spurred her on as 20 years’ work was condensed into her Bronze medal winning 35 second routine. Eilish was not called to the GB team until she was 21, but since then has taken part in London 2012, competing in the 3000m steeplechase, and in Rio 2016 where she reached the final of the Women’s 5000m. Beth and Eilish offered the young athletes helpful advice and encouragement for the future. The day included further presentations and activities. John Walker, a BBC Sports Reporter, talked about his career in outside broadcasting and working in the studio. Victoria Cotton, an editor for BBC Sport, spoke about her 19 years’ experience of covering some of the world’s biggest sporting events and her drive to bring 500 hours of women’s sport to TV. Dr Lindsay Hill, who works for the NHS and Axis Podiatry, discussed her career in assessing foot and ankle problems, including working for professional athletes and clubs. Phil Owen and Suzanne Bass from Manchester Thunder Youth Academy delivered a netball masterclass. The attendees also spent time at the University of Bolton learning about sports rehabilitation and sports science. Mrs Heatherington said: “The day has instilled in girls the need to stay focused and to believe in themselves and has also shown them that there are a wide range of career opportunities in sport.” Headmistress Sue Hincks said: “The Girls Go Gold event was a huge success and a testimony to Mrs Heatherington’s vision and organisational abilities. I was delighted that so many girls from across the country could attend and that there was also wonderful representation from our school and local schools including Smithills, Thornleigh, Canon Slade, Turton and St Joseph’s.”

Eilish McColgan Netball Workshop Beth Tweddle