Kent's Double Olympic Champion Backs Young Talent
Sunday 21 November saw over 100 tale
nted performers from across Kent come together for once in a lifetime coaching and mentoring day which was run by Dame Kelly Holmes and her team of Harnessing Talent athletes.
Supporting the DKH Legacy Trust event was Minister for Sport and Olympics, Hugh Robertson. Mr. Robertson, who is from Kent, showed great support for the event, saying: "Kent and Sport are two of the most important things in my life, and this is why I am here. The Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust has given these talented performers a real opportunity to develop their skills in a way they never could have dreamed and I'm delighted to be here today."
The attending talented performers included 17 year old Kelsie Gibson, who has recently returned from New Zealand with a silver medal in Adaptive Rowing at this year's World Championships. Also at the event, which was held at the University of Kent, was National Schools U16 Table Tennis champion Lewis Gray, from Tunbridge Wells.
Lewis, one of the brightest young prospects in table-tennis, said: "It's been brilliant to be here at Backing Talent in Kent with Dame Kelly Holmes and her charity. Having a chance to learn from the Olympians has really helped me have a better understanding of what I need to do to fulfil my potential and reach the top of my sport." Lewis is currently ranked no 6 in England (Junior Boys).
Dame Kelly Holmes also ran her own workshop, where she put 50 talented performers through their paces with an intense circuits session. Being trained by Dame Kelly definitely had an influence on the performers, it was clear to see them desperate to impress and leave a lasting impression on the double Olympic champion, which they certainly did.
"Seeing the next generation of elite athletes here today, wanting to learn from the Harnessing Talent athletes has really shown how important it is for people like me to 'give back' to sport. I wish I had this opportunity growing up but I'm glad I can offer it to Kent's talented performers now through the support of my charity." said Dame Kelly.
In addition to supporting the talented performers, the parents, coaches, trainers and carers were also given an opportunity at the university to receive specialist coaching from experts Sonya Shellard, Claire Graham, Matt Cole and Louisa Arnold. This initiative was greatly received by the adults, with one attending parent saying:
"It has been an excellent day with thought provoking sessions, delivered from some very knowledgeable speakers."
The event was hailed a success by all and the Trust will look forward to monitoring the talented performers' progress over the coming months.
View for an update on the Backing Talent follow up session held recently.
