Oldham School welcome Boxer Stacey Copeland to inspire children

Alexandra Park welcomed Stacey Copeland to their assembly to talk about her charity Pave the Way, but also to share her story with the children to inspire them to overcome their own adversities. 

Each term, Alexandra Park have a sport celebration assembly, to look at their sporting achievements that term, and to celebrate together.

Last half term, they had an Oldham Athletic player in their assembly. 

Stacey Copeland shared stories of how she started out in sport when Boxing was illegal for women, and girls weren't allowed to play football with boys. 

She shared her trimuphs and her struggles such as her injuries.

The children were visibily shocked at the idea that Stacey did not recieve a belt for her Commonwealth title fight in Zimbawbe, until she challenged the decision to not give belts to female fighters (only replicas at that time). 

Samantha Hickling, PSHE Leader said, "People like Stacey are so important for our children to see. It was one of the most inspiring assemblies we have ever had and I feel our children learnt so much from Stacey. 

"They went away inspired and ready to take on any challenge. I think her message was understood loud and clear with our children, and it is one we share with our sports leaders every day while we encourage children to try something new."

Stacey gave the children four bits of advice to challenge them in the future but these two really stuck with our children. 

She said, "First, be a good egg (when potato is put in water, it becomes soft, but when an egg goes into water it becomes stronger). Second, have TEAMitutde (a win as a team is better than any win solo - you need support to go as far as you want to go)."

Stacey shared a comment on her twitter later that day. "I had an ace assembly at Alexandra Park today and loved meeting their sports ambassadors. 

"So glad that schools are talking about race, gender and equality in sport. All children should feel able to take part in sports."

The work Stacey is doing is vital to our young people, to allow them to be whoever they want to be no matter how they were born.

Some of the children commented on the assembly,  "She was amazing lady. We were so surprised when Mrs Hickling said our sports visitor was a woman as we expected to see a man. She was inspiring and made me feel like I could do anything."

"Stacey was inspiring. I was shocked to hear how when she wanted to start being a boxer at 11 she wasn't allowed as it was illegal.

"I was surprised she wanted to be a boxer too as she said that boxing gyms smell bad! I liked hearing how she played football for her country as well before being a boxer. She showed us it doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl you can take part in any sport."

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