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GDST Sport Scholar Day: Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Sporting Champions
The future of women’s sport looks brighter than ever, and this year’s GDST Sport Scholar Day captured that perfectly. Hosted by Sutton High School in partnership with the Mintridge Foundation, the event welcomed 250 sports scholars from across the GDST’s family of 26 schools for a day of inspiration, confidence-building, and unforgettable experiences.
The day began with a keynote speech from Liz Cann, Former World Top 20 Badminton player. Liz shared her journey, emphasising self-leadership and the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Her message resonated with students, demonstrating how the skills developed through sport—discipline, adaptability, and mental strength—can positively influence all aspects of life. She also offered practical tools, including breathing exercises combined with positive thinking, to help manage stress and maintain composure under pressure.
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“I started exactly where you are. I was a GDST girl at Wimbledon High’’.
Role models play a crucial part in inspiring the next generation, and the event featured some exceptional ones. Commonwealth Gold Medallist and Wimbledon High School alumna Eboni Usoro-Brown shared her story: “I started exactly where you are. I was a GDST girl at Wimbledon High. My mother was a headteacher, and from an early age, I learned the importance of balancing co-curricular activities with my studies.”
Olympic Bronze Medallist and Howell’s, Llandaff alumna Sarah Jones also captivated students with insights into life at the Olympic Village. She highlighted the value of collaboration, saying: “There’s real benefit in learning from men’s games, especially technical and tactical lessons. And the same applies to them—there’s so much they can learn from women’s sport too.”
A Day of Sport, Skills, and Selfies
Students had the opportunity to try their hand at a wide range of sports, including football, swimming, gymnastics, cricket, archery, boxing, and rugby. Professional athletes and alumnae led dynamic workshops, sharing tips, offering encouragement, and answering questions. The day was filled with skill-building, inspiration, and plenty of chances for selfies and autographs.
Sport Scholar Day was a powerful reminder of the critical need to support girls in sport. By creating opportunities for girls and young women to engage in sports, the GDST is helping girls to become more active, confident and reach their full potential.
About the Girls’ Day School Trust
The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is the leading network of girls’ schools across England and Wales. The GDST are specialists in girls’ education, tailoring our teaching to the way girls learn best and delivering innovative learning for girls aged three to eighteen.
