Olympians visit Bognor Regis Community College on behalf of the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust

The charity was set up by Dame Kelly Holmes in the wake of her double gold medal performance in the 800m and 1500m at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

It aims to inspire teenagers to find and fulfil their potential in sport and life by working with elite sports performers.

The world-class athletes, from a wide range of sports including snooker, skateboarding and wheelchair basketball, spent two days at the school in Westloats Lane, Bognor Regis, on a youth work training course.

It will help them understand the issues facing teenagers today and qualify them to mentor teenagers on a range of programmes the charity runs in partnership with organisations such as education charity Skill Force.

Dame Kelly said: "Having come to Bognor Regis on holiday as a child, the town holds a special place in my heart.

"I am delighted that my charity is working with Bognor Regis Community College to help train elite sports performers in how to work with young people.

"Too often these days young people get a bad press when actually what they need is support and someone to look up to.

"I believe that elite sports performers have a wealth of experience that can benefit young people, not just in sport but in life, too.

"I am really glad the school is helping these sports people understand some of the challenges young people face, and how the champions we are working with can help young people unlock their talents and realise their potential."

Over the two days, the sports stars did several training exercises to help them plan and develop activities for teenagers.

They also had the chance to meet pupils and discover which activities motivated them.

Swimmer Adam Whitehead, an Olympian and a European and Commonwealth champion, said: "This opportunity is so beneficial to us as ex-athletes.

"The Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust is really helping many of us make the transition from a sporting career into supporting and working directly with young people."

Deputy head Shaun Dowling said: "We are proud to be working in partnership with Dame Kelly Holmes on this programme.

"Our young people will benefit enormously from this opportunity to work alongside these elite sports stars and help them in their retraining.

"Our Specialist Sports College status aims to support Bognor Regis Community College's relentless drive to raise standards and aspirations.

"This initiative sums up that ambition perfectly."

The other sports stars taking part were Franki Jus-Burke (rowing), Mike Mullen (BMX), Jayant Mistry (wheelchair tennis), Bryan Steel (cycling), Anna Jackson (wheelchair basketball), Jo Ellis (women's hockey), Jenna Downing (extreme inline skating), Neil Danns (skateboarding), Tyrone Swaray (track athletics), Katy Watts (field athletics), Neil Tomkins (snooker) and Bill Lucas (rowing).

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