Olympian shows off her skills — and medals

STICK SKILLS . . . Nicola White (centre) puts pupils (from the left) Ella Wilkins, Sam Heaton, Declan Finigan and Orla Johnson through their paces

Olympian Nicola White swung by St Joseph’s RC Primary School, in Shaw, to put pupils through their paces and answer questions on her success at London 2012.

The Team GB hockey star visited the school, in Oldham Road, in the hope of inspiring children to follow in her footsteps.

Nicola, who was born in Oldham and raised in Shaw, fielded several questions from pupils before picking up her stick and showing off her skills.

Nicola also brought in her extensive medal collection so that pupils could experience the thrill of holding an Olympic medal.

She began playing hockey for Saddleworth HC aged seven and said that she was inspired to succeed by double Olympic gold medallist athlete Dame Kelly Holmes — who presented her with a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

“Growing up watching Kelly Holmes was a huge inspiration to me, that whole generation of Roger Black, Colin Jackson, it was special to see them and it really drove me on to succeed.

“You don’t expect that one day you will be going into schools and hopefully inspiring the children to do the same.

“It’s really nice now to give something back. I’ve been to over 70 schools now and done coaching and all sorts of things. It’s been a real character-building experience for me and obviously, being from the area, it brings back some really good memories.”