Pupils from Newsome High School in Huddersfield played host to Paralympic sitting volleyball and Paracanoe sprint star, Emma Wiggs, recently.
She visited the school as part of its Sky Sports Living for Sport project.
The free UK secondary schools initiative, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, uses sport stars and sport skills to boost confidence, change behaviours, increase attainment and improve life skills.
The pupils involved in the Sky Sports Living for Sport project shared the activities they have completed, the skills they have learnt and their accomplishments on and off the playing field with Emma when she visited.
Emma has been handpicked by the Youth Sport Trust to become a mentor because of her unique personal journey, overcoming a range of challenges to achieve sporting success.
During her visit Emma shared her experiences with the group and used her story of triumph over adversity to support teachers at Newsome High School to motivate the pupils to be the best they can be.
Linda Stacey, school games organiser at Newsome High School, said: “Emma’s visit was an inspiring reward for our pupils who have shown great commitment and dedication to their Sky Sports Living for Sport project.
“The students loved hearing Emma’s story and sharing their experiences of their project with her.
“Most importantly, our young people have learned first-hand that sport can teach them so much.
“Whether it is the social skills needed to be a team player or the focus and determination required to do a job well, Sky Sports Living for Sport is helping them to learn important life lessons.”
Emma said: “I came away from Newsome High School feeling incredibly inspired by the commitment of the young people I met.
“Hearing how the pupils are putting their new skills and lessons they have learned into practice is a fantastic example of how sport has the power to change lives.”
