Ladejo gives students a sporting chance

STUDENTS at Sir John Colfox School met a sporting hero last Friday as part of the SuperSchools initiative.

International 400m runner Du'aine Ladejo took nearly 200 pupils through an exercise circuit before giving them a chance to quiz him on life as an athlete.

The children earned sponsorship for the exercise and each had their photograph taken with the former European and Commonwealth champion.

Ladejo has been involved in Superschools for 10 years and describes it as a perfect opportunity to give something back and motivate stars of the future.

He said: "The whole point of coming into the schools is to give the kids the motivation and stimulus to actually say, 'Wait a second, now I've met him I know I can do that myself because he was just like me'.

"When I was first approached to actually come out and talk in schools I thought it was a great opportunity to pass on some advice.

"I felt that the older I got and the more things I learnt I had more to offer.

"It's also a learning experience for myself because when you talk about things and you actually convey it to children it gives you the opportunity to re-learn those lessons."

The 34-year-old, who won individual gold at 400m in the European Championships in 1994 and in the same year conquered Europe and the Commonwealth with the 400m relay team, was a hit with staff and students on the day.

Head of PE Julia Broom said the children involved really enjoyed meeting Ladejo and having the opportunity to fire their own questions at him.

She described the event as a great boost for the school and hopes that similar activities in the future will encourage more pupils to take part.

Ladejo's ability to engage the children and relate to the pressures that growing up involves made him an inspirational speaker.

As a role model his drive, determination and single-mindedness make him an ideal person to front the SuperSchools Experience.

SuperSchools is a fund raising programme based on encouraging more children to take regular exercise and enjoy sport.

A percentage of the money raised by the Colfox students goes to a SuperSchools kitty to help emerging talent.

However the majority will help start a new PE fund set up by the school to help contribute towards expenses incurred by its pupils.

The money will be available to students for kit, travel, training and accommodation for their sporting activities.