Questionnaire competition (part 2)

At the start of the academic year students of Hampton Academy were offered the opportunity to create a questionnaire for a sporting star.

Many students entered some great questionnaires with questions that were interesting and insightful. The best were chosen and put to our selection of sports stars...

Congratulations to Victor Villegas who's questions were selected for England rugby player, 

Claire Allan.

1)      How did you become a rugby player?

When I was 13, a school friend of mine asked me to come down to a local club rugby training session. I loved it from the minute I started, and have been playing ever since.

2)      How many tournaments have you been in?

Quite a few. Six Nations, Sevens World Cup 2009, Europeans, Nations Cup (Canada), various Sevens tournaments across Europe and USA.

3)      What cups or medals have you won?

I have been part of the Six Nations winning squad on 4 occasions. We have won the Europeans (both Sevens and 15’s). Won the Nations Cup. We have also won the San Diego, Dubai and Amsterdam Sevens

4)      Where’s the best place you’ve played?

Dubai was the most memorable place I’ve played rugby. We had a fantastic squad and the location was beautiful. The ‘Sevens’ stadium is in the middle of the desert.

Twickenham Stadium was also a very special place to play. We beat New Zealand there last year, which is one of my best sporting memories.

5)      Is there any one in your family as sporty as you?

My sister is really sporty. She currently plays football in America, and is on a scholarship out there. She is off to Brazil soon to play for one of their club sides. And is also training for the marathon!

6)      If you could play any other sport what would it be?

Before I started playing rugby seriously, I loved Athletics.  I’d probably go for the 100-200m sprint. I also enjoy surfing when I get the chance, and that would be a fantastic lifestyle.  So think I’d like to be a surfer!

7)      What are your plans for the future?

My long term goal is to play in the Olympics in Rio 2016. (Rugby Sevens has recently been accepted into the Olympics).

Earning an Olympic Gold medal would have to be the highest sporting achievement.

I am currently a Police Officer in the MET. Once I retire from rugby I would like to join the firearms unit.

Congratulations once again to Victor for comming up with such great questions and a massive thank you to Claire Allan for taking the time to answer them!!

Hampton Academy Sport

Sport Hampton Academy- Spring to success in 2011

It has been an action packed spring term for Hampton Academy in 2011. Congratulations to all students that have represented your school in sports fixtures and competitions.

The Hampton Academy boy’s year 10 Volleyball team picked up in January, right where they left off in 2010. They competed in the South London Volleyball Championships after progressing through their pool and Borough final. The year 8 & 9 combined teams had to wait until after half term to show off their Volleyball skills, and Mr Crossan’s girl’s Volleyball team proved they were up to the task by taking silver in the Richmond Borough Championship.

In the very same week, Mr Mayfield took the Key-Stage 3 Trampolining teams to the Richmond Festival and brought back the boy’s team gold. Well done to everyone that competed in the Borough Trampolining and congratulations to the boys from years 7, 8 & 9 who lifted the trophy. This is another fantastic success for Hampton Academy.

Hampton Academy entered the borough wide year 7 and year 8 leagues in the spring term and Ms Nuttall and Ms Horsburgh guided the girls through seven tough fixtures. Ms Davidson coached the year 9, 10 & 11 girls Football team in the Richmond schools league.

Meanwhile, the year 7 and 8 boys Rugby League team entered the Harlequins RL schools merit league, and Hampton Academy competed in competitive school Rugby fixtures for the first time. As Mr Giblin’s Rugby sessions goes from strength to strength, the girl’s team got in on the action as well by entering the Richmond Champion Schools Competitions at year 7 and 9. Mr Giblin, took these complete novice girl’s teams and developed them to defend fiercely, score tries, compete and win games. There will be more Rugby to come in the summer term.

Hampton Academy rowers competed in the Richmond Indoor Rowing Championships and our boy’s year 8 and year 7 Basketballers entered the Borough festivals. Hampton Academy Athletes continued to place 3^rd in the Sports Hall Athletics fixtures ay year 7 and 8.

Aside from the sports fields, Hampton Academy had lots of new sports clubs for students in the spring term. Brentford FC delivered Futsal and Boxercise classes, year 10 boys began a weight lifting club and for the first time, Hampton Academy offered a Karate club for students interested in martial arts. Mrs Day also launched her Friday night Badminton club.

Elsewhere at Hampton Academy, students and staff celebrated an Olympic Learning Day to mark the 500 days countdown to London 2012. Staff and students wore sports themed uniform and took part sports challenges. Students also raised money for comic relief by challenging staff to Volleyball and Badminton matches. Hampton Academy hosted a huge year 3 primary school event which saw every single primary school child invited to Hampton Academy for a fun filled afternoon of sport involving over 150 students.

Questionnaire competiton (part 1)

At the start of the academic year students of Hampton Academy were offered the opportunity to create a questionnaire for a sporting star.

Many students entered some great questionnaires with questions that were interesting and insightful. The best were chosen and put to our selection of sports stars...

Congratulations to Luc Trafford and Kieran Peckett who's questions were selected for GB fencer and Olympic hopeful, 

Claire Bennett.

1)      What made you interested in fencing?

Fencing appealed to me because it looked different and interesting. I liked the idea of a combat sport. At the time, I remember wanting to fight with a sword like Zorro or one of the Three Musketeers! I also had a wonderful first coach who had me hooked within minutes. My first coach was the one who lit that spark of passion for fencing in me all those years ago when I was at school and just ten years old.

2)      How did you start you career in journalism?

It actually started when I was on my year abroad from my languages course at Durham University. I did a work experience placement with Reuters in Paris. I worked on the sports desk and loved the buzz in the office. I then went on to ask for some more work experience at the Evening Standard and then at the Daily Telegraph. I didn’t have any qualifications in journalism but I got some invaluable hands-on experience with top press agencies instead. I was bold and just asked them straight out. Fortunately it paid off.

3)      What advice would you give to someone who wanted to take up a sport as a career?

If you want to take up a sport as a career and become a professional athlete you need to be disciplined, determined, committed and focused. You need to be a self-starter. It’s about overcoming challenges and constantly striving to be the best. It’s about challenging yourself to do something really difficult, that requires a lot of skill, both physically and mentally. To me, that is the ultimate meaning of doing sport – challenging yourself and overcoming the tests along the way. Nothing beats that feeling of achieving your goals. A career in sport can be exhilarating and rewarding but you have to be prepared to put the work in. Be brave, train hard and stick at it!

4)      Where is the best place you’ve been to through competing?

Tough question – it’s so hard to decide! I’ve been very fortunate in getting to travel all over the world through competing. I always love going to Cuba and also countries like China and Japan are great as I find their cultures fascinating. Australia was a fantastic place to visit and compete in. I had to travel 22 hours on a plane to get there but it was well worth the journey. If I was pushed into deciding my favourite place, I’d probably say Cuba.

5)      Do you have a sporting role model and how have they inspired you?

I have lots of sporting role models who inspire me on a daily basis. Michael Jordan, Steve Redgrave, Lance Armstrong and Dame Kelly Holmes to name a few. I’ve always admired Jonny Wilkinson for his professionalism and work ethic. His dedication to his sport is inspiring. He is a true professional and a role model on and off the pitch. These athletes have class, integrity and work hard to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential. They inspire me to be a better-performing athlete and to never sit on my success.

6)      What do you think your greatest achievement in fencing is?

I’d say coming back last year after a difficult season and winning the bronze medal in the individual and the gold medal in the team event of the Commonwealth Fencing Games. I was captain of the England team and I felt a great responsibility to lead by example and do my very best. I am convinced that this event was a turning point in my sporting career. But I hope my greatest achievement in fencing is yet to come!

7)      How do you think you would feel if you made it to 2012?

I think I would be bursting with pride. For me, it would be the biggest and greatest honour to represent Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Fencing in front of a home crowd would be beyond special. It would mean so much to me. In fact, it would mean so much to not only me, but to my friends, my family and all of my support team who have helped me along the way. It is the greatest prize of all, and an honour.

Congratulations once again to Luc and Kieran for coming up with such great questions and a massive thank you to Claire Bennett for taking the time to answer them!!