Page 30 - Godstowe USA Lacrosse Tour 2018

TEAM TALK TEAM TALK

Inspiring the next generation

Sport offers so much more than just exercise. It teaches important life

skills, creates life-long friendships and can stand the young generation in
good stead for their future careers. Here, Gabby Logan explains why

sport and, in particular women’s sport, is so important to her

odstowe’s USA Lacrosse Tour reaching the very top in one sport passion or walk of life.
Goffers Godstowe girls the could be the factor that leads to When I was a young gymnast
chance to create memories that success in another. There is now such devoting 25 hours per week to
will last a lifetime. They will bond a sophisticated talent identification training I learnt to become very
on the pitch, over the waffle-laden programme in the UK that it is hard organised. I had to learn to juggle
breakfast table and on the long coach to fall through the net if you really demands of school and my intense
journeys. They will learn things about want to push your sporting life to its commitment to my sport; juggling is
themselves and each other that they full potential. a useful skill for any man or woman.
didn’t know before. They will find Not all of the young lacrosse I never envisaged gymnastics as a
new depths of strength, courage and players on this tour will play for future job. At the time, there were
possibly leadership that they didn’t their country when they are older, no women earning a living from the
realise they possessed. Above all, they nor find a career in sport. However, sport apart from perhaps the very
will have a lot of fun and laughs along Skills gained through sport, such as teamwork, adaptability and resilience, can be transferred into any profession, passion or walk of life
the way. “It is hard to fall through the net if you really want
There has been so much written to push your sporting life to its full potential” a gold medal or a place on the without activity. I am lucky enough Championships in Athens. I can
and said about engaging young National Squad. I was applying my to say that is also dominates my still remember the names of my
people and, in particular, young that is not the most important thing top coaches. But I was not motivated focus, learning time management and professional life – something I team mates: Esther, Elizabeth and
women in sport over the last few about this experience. Instead, what by financial reward, I wanted to see becoming a self-motivated person. could never have foreseen when I Hermione. I can tell you the colour
years. When Great Britain was they will learn from this sporting how far I could get and I adored it. There comes a time in a child’s was a child. of my leotards and the name of the
bidding to host the 2012 Olympics trip is teamwork, understanding I loved the intensity of training and life when it’s down to them and When I was growing up, football German gymnast I became friends
in London one of the main goals was the strengths and weaknesses of knowing that I had set goals I wanted them alone. Parents can keep driving was a part of my everyday life. My with – Marion, who was competing
that we, as a nation, would inspire a others, adaptability and resilience to achieve. Now I realise the hours them to practice, helping them with father was a professional footballer for what was then West Germany.
generation into sport. – all of which are skills that can of training were about so much more equipment and encouraging them in the 1970s and ‘80s and my brother We had a deep conversation one
For me, one of the great positives be transferred into any profession, than the end result of a competition, but, ultimately, the desire to become also played. I didn’t see any women day about a divided Germany and
and successes of the 2012 Olympics what it meant to her family. I can
was the host of female sporting “I knew the camaraderie and social side was going to still picture the laughter on the back
role models who were born; Jessica be as important as the fitness I would gain” seat of the bus as we drove back to
Ennis-Hill, Victoria Pendleton, Beth the hotel from training. I even still
Tweddle and Katherine Grainger, to the best or at least the best they can talking about football on television have my first ever GB kit bag.
name a few. Women’s sport was put be, whether it is the arts, science or nor hear them on the radio so to I can almost put myself back in
squarely on the map – female gold sport has to come from them. find myself in a career where I did the place of the girl in a leotard
medals were every bit as valuable When I joined Durham University, both – television and radio – was filled with nerves as she waited
as male gold medals and, I am I stopped competing at a very high something of a joyful surprise. I to perform her first routine. I am
pleased to say, slowly but surely the level in gymnastics and, instead, am always mindful of the saying so grateful I was allowed to put
column inches given to women’s I immediately joined the netball “if you can’t see it you can’t be it” myself in those uncomfortable
sport is increasing. team and the rowing club. From and that is what drives me to try positions, to test myself and
What is also clear from so many of my experience as a gymnast I knew and make sure the BBC and other see what I was capable of. The
our global sporting success stories is the camaraderie and social side broadcasters show as much women’s confidence and character it gave
that playing a wide variety of sports was going to be as important as sport as possible. me has helped me in so many
as a child is so important. Skills are the fitness I would gain. Sport has In 1987, when I was 13 years areas of life and I will be forever
transferable and physical attributes since stayed with me my whole old, I went on my first tour as a grateful to the coaches and sports
that might have kept you from Above: Olympic gold medalist Katherine Grainger helped put women’s sport squarely on the map life and I cannot imagine a life gymnast to the Junior European teachers who made it possible. ■

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