Girls Go Gold

Published 3 October 2012

University of Brighton students met Olympic gold medalist Sally Gunnell OBE at a conference 'Girls Go Gold'.

The university, in association with Moira House Girl's School in Eastbourne, was hosting the Girls' Schools Association conference which involved 600 girls in years 10 to 13 from around the UK who have represented their school, county, region or national teams in their chosen sports.

Sally Gunnell with PGCE Physical Education trainee teachers from the University of Brighton.

Staff and students provided a full day of activities and seminars, including a ‘careers in sport' question time session with key panelists answering questions, and a sports science lecture on supporting the elite female athlete . There were also dance workshops and performances, practical activities including Boxercise and Kinball, and a motivation through sport seminar.

Olympic gold medalist Robin Cousins MBE and Paralympic cycling gold medalist and honorary Brighton graduate Darren Kenny OBE were on hand at sessions throughout the day.

The event culminated with a keynote address by Sally Gunnell, the only woman to hold Commonwealth, European, World and Olympics track titles concurrently.

The event was organised by Professor Jo Doust, head of the School of Sport and Service Management and principal lecturer Dr Gary Stidder.

Professor Doust said: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games hoped to inspire a generation.  Girls Go Gold made this aspiration come alive. As one of the leading schools of sport in Britain we were pleased to be able to bring expert knowledge into a joint event with Moira House and international sports stars to give the girls practical help and encouragement for the future.”