Member Article

School sports day goes for gold with Olympic star appearance

A primary school in Weston-Super-Mare had an ‘oarsome’ sports day with a special guest appearance from an Olympic gold medallist. Haywood Village Academy Cabot Learning Federation welcomed Matt Langridge MBE, Olympic medallist in rowing, to its events last week thanks to Persimmon Homes Severn Valley’s partnership with Team GB. The Olympian, who won silver for the men’s eight in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was part of the British crew that won the bronze medal in the men’s eight at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and part of the team who won a gold in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, was on hand to kick-start the sports day events - starting races, handing out stickers and posing for pictures with staff, parents and pupils. Principal Craig Jones welcomed Matt and said: “Sport and the teamwork, commitment and enthusiasm associated with sport are really important to both staff, pupils and the Haywood Village community. “It was a pleasure to welcome Matt to our school and seeing the children’s excitement when interviewing him and getting to hold his medals was great. “Thank you to Persimmon Homes and Team GB for being a part of our sports day.” Matt Langridge, said: “Sports days are so important as they showcase the variety of different sports and it gets the children outside and active, while having fun and enjoying taking part. “The partnership between Persimmon Homes and Team GB allows us to help inspire the next generation and it is a pleasure to attend events such as Haywood Village Academy’s sports day.” Kerry Lonsdale, sales manager for Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, said: “At Persimmon Homes it is important to support the communities where we build. “Haywood Village Academy is thriving and going from strength to strength and it was a pleasure to be able to visit along with Matt as part of our partnership with Team GB.” Persimmon Homes is an official partner of Team GB as it prepares for Tokyo 2020 and beyond.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Charlotte Greenhalgh .