Burnley College Sixth Form Centre netball academy star and trainee coach Meghan Whitehead, 18, recently returned from the official This Girl Can training day at Olympic Park in London ready to inspire more girls to get into sports.
Meghan is currently studying for her Advanced Extended Diploma in Sports Science at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre.
Selected students from across the UK were chosen to attend the training day to focus on others to take up sports. The attendees were given training in using social media to promote activities and training sessions, as well as being invited to attend inspirational talks by athletes, trainers and coaches.
“I was chosen as an ambassador for Sport England’s Lottery funded This Girl Can campaign after my tutors Brad Pates and Julia Kelly put my name forward,” said Meghan, who also works as a swimming teacher and plays netball for Ribble Valley Netball Club.
“This Girl Can said I would be an excellent example to young women and girls who might not take part in sports but would like to become more active or join a sporting team. My experience in netball and coaching meant that I could easily see the benefits of joining the This Girl Can campaign, because it’s important for me not just to excel in my sport, but to develop my leadership skills and encourage others to get motivated and involved with sports.”
Meghan, who before she became an elite athlete at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre was a student at Oakhill School, has been passionate about sports throughout her life and is looking forward to what could be next for her career.
“I am hoping to progress to Cumbria University to study Sports Rehabilitation as their course is a fantastic one. Being an ambassador for This Girl Can and an ambassador for Netball at Burnley College will really help me to stand out from other applicants who, as well as me, also have outstanding grades. I’m really grateful to my supportive tutors who saw the potential for me to succeed with This Girl Can and put me forward for it – the day at Olympic Park was an amazing experience and I met some really inspirational people.”
Meghan will be meeting with members of the North West This Girl Can ambassadors at an official gathering in Lancashire later this year.
Principal Hugh Bramwell said:
“We are extremely proud of Meghan for representing Burnley College Sixth Form Centre so impeccably at this prestigious national event. Opportunities for our students to excel are wide-reaching and varied here, and it’s thanks to outstanding teaching and support from our tutors that our students have the confidence to make the most of the fantastic chances they receive. Meghan’s own outstanding achievements have been well-recognised throughout the College and we wish her all the very best with her plans to progress to one of the country’s leading Sports Rehabilitation university courses.”