Transcript

ALEX DANSON

I have really good memories of my adolescence. I was more increasingly attached to my sport because it gave me a real sense of identity and of confidence.

I remember my role model growing up was my PE teacher, Mrs Berry. I remember she was the first person that really gave me that sense of belief. I remember she sat me down and said, you could-- not you would, but you could be a county hockey player or more. She taught me the ethic of working hard and really setting a goal as high as I dare to dream.

But I know not all young people are so fortunate, which is a big reason why I and many other athletes go into schools and spend time, hopefully, trying to engage and inspire young people because the transferable values from elite sport into any young person’s life is huge. You think about self-confidence, the ability to work hard, resilience, working together as a team-- all transferable into a young person’s life.

And that was a huge reason why I decided to study with The Open University, because the doors it now opens for me to perhaps go into schools more, perhaps go into a world of teaching, is something that’s always been very, very close to my heart.