Oakham’s sporting alumni and a former member of staff galvanised during this difficult time, offering sporting advice and guidance in the form of a unique series of interviews held with Director of Sport, Iain Simpson. Eleven of Oakham’s illustrious and upcoming sports men and women, representing a range of different sports from across the UK and the world, answered the same three questions: of what they are most proud in their sporting career, what has been their toughest moment, and what advice they would give their 16-year-old self. The resulting interviews were a fascinating insight into different perspectives across a range of sports. The interviews can all be seen in full here:
- Sam Costelow (19), Wales U20 and Scarlets rugby player
- Kathryn Lane (13), former England and GB Hockey player and Commonwealth Games Bronze medallist
- Lyndon James (17), Nottingham County cricketer
- Millie Noble (18), Loughborough University Team cyclist
- Emily Nagel (12), Volvo Ocean Race sailor
- Jack van Poortvliet (19), Tigers and England U20 rugby player
- Matthew Ramshaw (18), England U21 Hockey player
- Emily Spies (18), US division one college-level golfer
- Hamish Watson (10), Edinburgh and Scotland rugby player
- Sam Wolstenholme (17), Wasps rugby player
- Leon Lloyd, former England and Leicester Tigers Rugby player
“Our sporting alumni have some of the best success levels of any school in the country when you consider how diverse a range of sports they come from,” says Director of Sport, Iain Simpson. “Lockdown gave us a unique opportunity to talk with a few of our sporting alumni who would normally be busy training or playing. Pupils have been able to listen to their unique experiences and learn from their sporting journey. It’s a fascinating set of interviews that I’m in no doubt we’ll reflect on for years to come, when their careers have developed further and their wise words of advice have impacted on another generation of Oakham athletes.”
