Dame Kelly Holmes visits College to open new Sports Centre
Posted on Thursday 26 April 2007
The Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre was opened during an Olympic Challenge organised by Sports Leade
Dame Kelly Holmes inspires students
Dame Kelly Holmes, the double gold-medallist in the Athens 2004 Olympics, held children, students and guests spell-bound when she opened the new Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre at Farnborough Sixth Form College yesterday.
Click here to download the ITV News coverage of the event (45mb QuickTime video)
Click here to view Dame Kelly Holmes photos in photogallery
Dame Kelly was guest of honour at the Olympic Challenge held at the College to celebrate the new facilities. Over 100 children from local primary schools participated in a multi-activity programme designed to stretch them both physically and mentally and organised entirely by college students studying for the Sports Leaders Award. Activities included running, rowing, orienteering and many other challenges. Dame Kelly joined in to the cheers of the children, inspiring them to participate, achieve and enjoy sports.
Click here to view Dame Kelly Holmes photos in photogallery
Dame Kelly was guest of honour at the Olympic Challenge held at the College to celebrate the new facilities. Over 100 children from local primary schools participated in a multi-activity programme designed to stretch them both physically and mentally and organised entirely by college students studying for the Sports Leaders Award. Activities included running, rowing, orienteering and many other challenges. Dame Kelly joined in to the cheers of the children, inspiring them to participate, achieve and enjoy sports.
Welcoming Dame Kelly to the College, Principal Dr John Guy said, "Rarely has there been so popular an Oylmpic athlete in this country who has touched the heart and held the pride of the nation".
"You are a role model not only for athletes, but for every student in the country. You were not born an Olympic Champion - nobody is. You worked and trained - and then trained and worked more - to achieve the highest of sporting accolades and it is that passion and commitment, that determination which we all need to emulate".
"That is why we are proud that you have given your name to our College Sports Centre as a permanent reminder to us all that success is possible through hard work, commitment, passion and belief".
Dame Kelly told the children, students and guests that she had been inspired by her own PE Teacher who told her, at the age of 12, that she could be an champion athlete. "His belief in me helped me to believe in myself", said Dame Kelly and she urged everyone privileged to work with children and students to be positive and optimistic. "You do not realise how important your belief in a child can be or what impact it has on their development", she said.
Revealing a plaque commemorating the event, Dame Kelly said, "I am proud to declare the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre open".
"At Farnborough Sixth Form College today I have seen more passion and enthusiasm than I have ever seen before in all my visits to schools and colleges", she added.
Head of PE, James Simms, said, "Dame Kelly's visit was inspirational. The Sports Leaders Award students couldn't have been more magnificent in leading over 100 schoolchildren through their paces in the presence of such a great sporting champion".
Student President Nick Coxon told the audience how proud the students were of the College and of the fantastic resources which were provided. "Despite the current success of the College, the new facilities show the strong ambition to make it even better", he said. He thanked the governors and the principalship of the College for making the project happen and for their continuing drive and passion.
Before leaving the College, Dame Kelly opened the new quad designed by 22 year old architecture graduate, and a former student of the College, Tom Guy of Camberley. He said, "It is great see my design built in reality and to have it opened by such a brilliant sportswoman".
College student Charities Officer, Saqib Malik, presented Dame Kelly with a cheque for £500 for her Charity, Beat Bullying, and newly elected Student President, Moe Saqib, presented her with a bouquet. "You have brought great honour to the College by your visit", he said.
Councillor John Marsh, Mayor of Rushmoor, said, "The entire day was a wonderful experience for us all. Dame Kelly's inspirational words should be published widely for all of us to hear".
