GB long jumper JJ Jegede inspired a group of Year 7 pupils at Shenfield High School

School Sport: Shenfield pupils inspired

Lee Power Friday, February 1, 2013
9:04 AM

Long jumper Jegede pays special visit

JJ Jegede talks to Shenfield High's cross-country captain Rachel Dunn

Shenfield High School had a special visit from Great Britain long jumper JJ Jegede this week.

Jegede spent the day with a selected group of Year 7 pupils in a bid to help improve attitudes to whole school learning and commit to becoming an all-round sporting individuals.

In an opening seminar, Jegede recounted his own childhood days and the sacrifices he made to get where he is now.

His story captured the hearts and minds of the boys and his attitude, not just to sport, but studying and life in general quickly rubbed off.

Jegede then took to a wider audience and gave a brilliant assembly to an expectant year group, with many wanting to ask questions at the end of thr 40-minute speech.

After posing for photos and signing autographs, Jegede took a practical session for the select group of 17, focusing on mental toughness, people skills, sports & life knowledge, hunger to achieve, breaking barriers and planning for success.

The boys thoroughly enjoyed the session and wrote an evaluation of the day, commenting: “JJ has told me to learn and listen, then you will achieve.

“JJ was amazing, so kind and humble; he has inspired me to do what I am good at.

“I am going to use all of the elements in all of my classes to achieve better and targets to prove I can do better.”

Organiser Mr Abson-Bennett said: “This was a hugely successful day and we are very grateful to JJ and the Sky Sports Living for Sport Project.

“I would recommend this to any teacher and any school as it truly does inspire a generation.

“I hope that this will stay with the boys and the year group throughout their time at Shenfield and lead them on to bigger and better things.

“It is safe to say the Olympic legacy is at the forefront of minds here at Shenfield High School and we as a PE department are doing everything we can to inspire our kids and make them the best they can be, not only in sport but in life as well.”