Sports Scholars at Sevenoaks School were given a motivating talk on developing mental toughness and taking opportunities from former Rugby International Tom May on Tuesday this week when he visited the department.
Tom gave a genuine account of his rugby career from the early school days, his progression through London and South East England, and the highs and lows he experienced before he was selected for England Schools.
Following these early successes he went on to represent Newcastle, Northampton Saints, Toulon – where he played in the centre alongside Jonny Wilkinson and Sonny Bill Williams, he captained London Welsh and most impressively enjoyed the huge honour of pulling on an England shirt to play against Argentina.
With a massive 382 1st XV games and 248 premiership appearances, Tom definitely gave the scholars a lot to think about regarding how to develop confidence and use a determined focus to achieve their sporting goals. During the afternoon Tom went out and helped to put the 1st XV and U16A team through their paces in their games session, also offering tips to the U15As in their after school practice.
In the evening the PE Department welcomed local school Heads of Sport and teachers, Club coaches and members of the Sevenoaks Sport Strategy Group to enjoy a network evening where Tom talked about Empowering Environments. The focus on this was to develop understanding and philosophy surrounding how teachers and coaches can help to create the right training and competitive environments for young sporting athletes to become the best they can be.
Overall, it was a fantastic day and evening for all involved and Tom certainly left many of us feeling inspired going forwards.
