Olympic medallist inspires Great Yarmouth students

Sporty students Ormiston Venture Academy in Great Yarmouth were treated to a VIP training session with Team GB medallist, Sophie Bray, arranged by our Anglia team. The school is close to the Bluebell Meadow development.

Olympian Sophie Bray MBE, who won a gold medal as part of the Great Britain field hockey team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, was guest of honour at the school where the pupils enjoyed asking her questions as well as admiring her medal at close quarters. Dave Richards, vice principal at Ormiston Venture Academy, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to welcome Sophie to the school. At Ormiston we talk about encouraging world-class aspirations and I don’t think our students could have a better example than someone who has won a gold medal. “Thank you to Persimmon Homes and Team GB for helping us to create such a special day for our students.”

A video from the visit can be viewed at https://youtu.be/6mR6-WSR5lM

Sophie said: “I was super impressed by the boys and girls. They had a great attitude and gave it their best as we ran through a few hockey drills, with some showing really good technique. The partnership between Persimmon Homes and Team GB allows us to help inspire the next generation and it is a pleasure to be able to share my passion for sport with the pupils.”

Michelle Baker, sales director for Anglia, added: “Persimmon Homes is keen to put something back into the communities in which we are building. It was a pleasure to be able to introduce Sophie Bray to Ormiston Venture Academy as part of our partnership with Team GB. The children were interested in her path to becoming a Team GB athlete and competing at an Olympic Games. Who knows, she may have inspired some athletes of the future.”

Persimmon Homes is an Official Partner of Team GB as it prepares for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. As part of the partnership we have created a free fitness and activity ‘Stay Active’ pack for families. Downloadable from the website the pack includes a carefully crafted selection of activities – from a fitness challenge to discovering facts about Japan to colouring, learning origami as well as how to make a wind chime.