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5 July 2019
Portsmouth High School celebrated its sporting successes for the year with an evening of celebration.
Guest speaker, Goldie Sayers, three-time Olympian javelin thrower, British record holder and 11 time UK Champion, who has dominated her event and is one of athletics’ most popular ambassadors, told the audience: ‘opportunities are often disguised as hard work; try lots of things to find your passion.’
As one of the most consistent senior members of the British athletics team and a former team captain, she is admired and respected for the commitment and dedication she has shown to her sport ever since she won her first English Schools’ Championship as a 14-year-old.
Goldie first came to national attention as an under-11 National Table Tennis Champion. She has also represented her county at tennis, hockey and netball. She graduated from Loughborough University with a first class honours degree in sport and exercise science and is a classically trained violinist and pianist. She is proud to have recently been re-elected by her peers to serve a second term as a Board member of the British Olympic Association’s Athletes Commission.
‘I was first handed a javelin at the age of 13. I practiced in the garden and the field opposite my house. Eight years later I was standing in an 80,000 capacity stadium in Athens and competing in the 2004 Olympics.’
Goldie went on to speak about the set-backs that she has had with many injuries over her time as an Olympic athlete.
‘On reflection of my career, we all dream of winning medals but you mustn’t be frightened of failure. Pursue your dreams and have a belief and mind-set not to give up. I have five key performance factors which I live by; have a goal and a dream, expect hard work, grasp opportunities, overcome obstacles and have a positive attitude.’
Girls across the senior school received trophies and cups celebrating their achievements in sports ranging from tennis and swimming to athletics, hockey and football.
‘Sport is an important part of our curriculum,’ said Headmistress, Mrs Jane Prescott. ‘I firmly believe in school giving a firm foundation to a life of participation in physical activity. Keeping active with a busy job is difficult but the interest the girls develop at school keeps them staying fit long after they have left school.’
