Six year 9 students from Didcot Girls’ School have been selected to become part of the Oxfordshire Coach Academy. The Coach Academy is a nationally funded programme, delivered at a county level, which aims to increase the number of girls actively involved in leadership, coaching and volunteering.

The students have been selected by the PE department as a result of their natural leadership ability which they have displayed during their PE lessons as well as in the wider school community.

Within the programme, the girls will be trained to become young activators, where their aim will be to encourage others within the school community to be more active and promote physical activity and school sport through their own initiative, whilst developing their own confidence and leadership skills.

The group have committed to attending 3 online after school sessions which are run by Jenna Downing, Youth Sport Trust Sports Ambassador. Jenna is a former Olympian and World Champion for in-line skating.

In the first session, the girls learnt about Jenna and how she got into skating and the many barriers she faced being a female in a male-dominated sport. Jenna faced discrimination and used this to motivate her to get to where she is today. The girls were really inspired by Jenna’s story and were  motivated by Jenna’ key message of “be the best version of yourself”.

During the session they also explored different ways girls can inspire girls to be more physically active and reflected on who has inspired them. They also looked at what makes a good leader, what skills they already have and which ones they are trying to improve, alongside their own personal goals.

We wish the girls the very best of luck as they embark on their leadership journey and I look forward to updating you on their journey.

Pictured below left to right..

Chloe Thomas, Meabh Foster, Grace Beardsley, Charlotte Noyce, Megan Cole and Amelia Stock