Double Olympic Champion Alex Gregory MBE inspires pupils
28 Nov 2016
We were delighted to welcome double Olympic Champion and multiple World Champion rower Alex Gregory MBE to Feltonfleet.
After achieving victory in Rio, where he received a second-successive Olympic Gold in the men’s coxless fours, alongside his crew mates Constantine Louloudis and Molesey Boat Club’s George Nash and Moe Sbihi, to add to the medal achieved in London 2012, Alex took time out from his strenuous training schedule to share his experience and advice in assembly to pupils from Year 1 to Year 8. He really connected with the children as he told of his many knock backs, but his determination and drive to be the best eventually carried him to the Olympic games and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he spoke of the moment he looked into the crowd after receiving his first gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics and saw his family with tears of joy streaming down their faces. He considers his gold medals as belonging to all his family as a symbol of their support and understanding as he has focussed on his sport.
All the children had spent time carrying out research and preparing questions for Alex and he personally met with Feltonfleet’s Sports Scholars and Team Captains who were able to benefit from the Olympian’s invaluable insight into what it really takes to be a World Champion. Harry Ford, Captain of the 1st X1 Football team said, “It was really great to hear Mr Gregory speak – he is an inspiration.” Sports Scholar, Callum Wimble took a key message that he will use in his swimming training, “Mr Gregory showed me that you get out what you put in. You have to be dedicated if you want to be the best.” Rounders A Team Captain, Flo Holder and Alex N Cross Country Captain said, “He’s a great role model, demonstrating that you need real perseverance and determination to succeed.”
During the visit, Alex also presented Feltonfleet’s inaugural Growth Mindset in Sport Awards – awarded to those pupils who have demonstrated positive mental attitude in Sport and presented medals and trophy to the U11 Football team who had come Runners-up in the Charterhouse 6-a-side tournament last week.
Ed Smith, Director of Sport, said, “We are very excited that Alex was able to meet with the pupils. As an Olympic Champion, he embodies all the qualities we hope to instil within our Feltonfleet pupils – determination, growth mindset, teamwork – we know he will be a great inspiration.”
He has certainly inspired some of our younger pupils. Year 1 pupil, Annabelle said “He made me want to be a runner” and William said, “He made me think I should never stop.”
Alastair Morrison commented, “Having all revelled in Team GB’s excellence of effort and achievement this summer, we have greatly enjoyed welcoming Alex Gregory to Feltonfleet. I have no doubt the boys and girls will draw great inspiration from such an outstanding role model. We are most grateful to Ed Smith, and to Anna Shillinglaw at MiLK Management, for making it possible.”