Reigning World Champion visits Chew Valley School

Chew Valley Students were recently provided with a rare treat when the reigning World, European, Commonwealth and European Cup 400m Hurdle Champion Dai Greene visited the school. This was made possible by the Wells Sports Foundation’s Athletes 4 Schools programme.

Dai first presented his medals and answered questions from the Year 11, 12 & 13 Exam Physical Education classes. Topics covered ranged from keeping motivated and setting goals to training and motivation.

The second workshop consisted of a practical hurdling session for a group of hand picked students who have all represented the school at the BANES Athletics Championships. Dai first put the students through some stretching and simple sprinting drills before moving on to going over the hurdles. By the end of the session most students were hurdling smoothly over their competition hurdle height with a small number successfully attempting the 110m High hurdle at 3ft 6inches.

The afternoon culminated in a Gifted & Talented Workshop which included both a presentation and practical session. Within the presentation Dai spoke about the pressures of balancing training, with work and social life; how when suffering from injury he trains even harder improving other elements which are not affected by the injury and how he didn’t actually specialise as a 400m hurdler until University. He spent much of his younger years playing all kinds of sport and actually turned down a professional football contract.

Everyone involved had a fantastic time and we would like to thank Dai and the Wells Sports Foundation for this wonderful opportunity.