Framlinghamian 2023-2024 Single page - web 144dpi - Flipbook - Page 127
SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
Our Prep School boys’ sportsmanship was
career, she won silver at the 2011 World
not just limited to sailing this year, we also
Youth Championships and at the 2013
saw huge successes in rugby, cricket and
European Junior Championships – these
hockey after our boys U11 hockey team
wins then led to 昀椀fth-place 昀椀nishes at the
quali昀椀ed for the Nationals after a brilliant
2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games.
victory in the Independent Association of
Prep School Sports Regional Tournament
Talking about success at such a young
(IAPS) regional 昀椀nals. Over 200 people
age, Sophie said: “In my earlier career,
were in attendance to support the
there were days when I thrived o昀昀 the
qualifying teams and watch Framlingham
competition, but then others when I’d
take the 2-1 victory at the tournament.
experience performance anxiety – as you
get older, you learn where to focus your
The boys then headed to Cheltenham
energy and ‘昀氀ip the switch’ to separate
College for the National Finals on 11 March
the competing mindset and not take it into
where they narrowly missed out on a
everyday life.”
placement but had a fantastic time with an
It was during the 2019 World Athletics
incredible experience for all.
Championships in Doha when Sophie
IAPS recognises and supports Prep Schools
made history as she became the 昀椀rst British
who o昀昀er a superb standard of education
woman to reach the shot put 昀椀nal in 36
for pupils, balancing traditional values
years. Her throw of 18.61 metres was more
with cutting edge teaching and learning to
than the Olympic qualifying standard and
deliver excellent standards of education
she soon found herself heading to the
and care to pupils.
Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 where she
昀椀nished in 17th place.
O昀昀 the 昀椀eld, our pupils had the opportunity
to hear from world class athletes and Team
“You not only have to physically work
GB Olympians through our connections
hard to be an elite professional athlete –
to guest speakers and sporting industry
training twice a day six days a week which
professionals, one of which was Team GB
takes a lot of dedication, time and work –
Olympian shot putter Sophie McKinna.
but for me the mental toughness is another
Sophie hosted an incredible motivational
element which takes a lot of energy and
sports lecture on preparing for life’s
perseverance,” Sophie explains, going
big events as she shared details of her
on to talk about how she deals with
incredible sports career and o昀昀ered pupils
setbacks: “As athletes we are told a lot
advice on how to learn from their losses.
about control, and ‘to control what you
can control’ and not dwell on outsider
elements.”
After reluctantly picking up the shot put
at age 13, Norfolk-born Sophie threw an
incredible seven metres at her 昀椀rst try, and
According to a poll by YouGov, athletics
from that point on she was hooked on the
(both track and 昀椀eld events) was the
sport. Launching straight into her junior
number one most popular sport to watch
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