Halfpenny Lane Junior & Infant School are hosting an inspirational workshop with Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Jamell Anderson. Jamell needs your help to raise funds for vital training, medical and competition costs. This money will also help your school and other athletes across the country, find out more below!
All staff at Halfpenny Lane Junior & Infant School, strive to ensure that all pupils are provided with a safe and caring school environment, which enables them to be happy, confident and to enjoy the most formative years of their lives.
They want them to be supported and challenged in equal measure, so they achieve their goals and realise their undoubted potential, both inside and outside the classroom.
At Halfpenny Lane, they have high ambitions and expectations of all pupils and encourage them to work hard, be committed, conduct themselves well and treat fellow members of the community with respect and humility.
Who's Coming?
HOW I STARTED
I started playing basketball in my back garden, but I switched and began playing different sports until I started in year 8 when I picked up the sport again. After picking up Basketball again I played for the Nottingham Youth Basketball team until I attended a Team GB trial day with seven of my teammates. Low and behold I was offered a place, this shook up my life as I was attending Team GB Training Camps and training for large-scale tournaments EuroBaskets.
MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT
My greatest achievement is winning a gold medal in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, this is the first British Basketball gold medal we have ever achieved, and to be part of the team in front of a home crowd was a dream come true! I remember the atmosphere being electric, especially from the home side!
MY GREATEST CHALLENGE
My greatest challenge is undoubtedly the heart surgery I underwent when I was 17 years-old. This was before my Team GB trial so my support system was comprised of my family and teammates and so throughout my recovery I went to watch my teammates train as I waited to get the all clear from the doctors. I was scared when I went back to training because I actually underwent the surgery twice and began training again but I began feeling the same palpitations that were occurring before the first surgery. Thankfully however after the second time I was able to train again and had no recurring symptoms!
MY HOBBIES
In my spare time I enjoy cooking, DIY, watching films, and spending time with friends and family as my packed schedule sometimes doesn’t allow for it!
MY FUTURE GOALS
In the future I am looking forward to visiting and inspiring youth across the nation with my story, working towards and winning an MVP in the British Basketball League, and score another gold medal at the next Commonwealth Games! I would also love to start a podcast discussing sport and exercise with different athletes I have had the pleasure of playing with throughout my career.
Who are Sports For Champions?
Sports For Champions UK (CIC) in partnership with Halfpenny Lane Junior Infant School and the local community are running a fundraiser to help support the mental and physical health of the pupils after the national lockdowns.
Great news! Sports For Champions UK (CIC) will soon visit your school! Your young people have been invited to join a sponsored fitness circuit led by a Professional athlete, who will educate, enable, and empower participants with a view to inspiring them to be the champions of tomorrow.
While we're not all athletically inclined we strongly encourage participation, all young people have talent and require inspiration to pursue their dreams - whatever they may be! After 12 years of success we have perfected our inspirational events and they are guaranteed to deliver for your school and pupils!
Sports For Champions events are held in support of schools, which keep 60% of the funds raised to spend on resources that will enrich young peoples? education/experience. Professional athletes in need of support are the only other beneficiaries from the remaining 40%. Sports For Champions is an audited organisation that is voluntarily registered with the Fundraising Regulator. Meaning you can support the initiative with assurance.
What will happen on the day?
During the assembly, Sports For Champions athletes show medals and tell their story, hard work, lessons, and insights shared to capture the imagination of all and inspire healthier active lifestyles. Athletes discuss challenges on the road to success, with resilience, nutrition, diet, and dedication forming key topics. Fitness is essential for every young person?s general wellbeing in physical and mental health. It is also proven to be a strong booster of learning potential or brain power. By inspiring children as champions of tomorrow, Sports For Champions envision youth growing in all walks of life as healthy, [pro] active community-minded talents.
Alongside Team Sports For Champions, athletes engage in invaluable work within local communities to support their training-related costs (e.g. physio/travel). Most world-class athletes train a rigorous 35hr week and struggle to find reliable work that fits their schedule. This is how the funds we raise enable athletes and your school/club to realise their potential. Many pro athletes are unsponsored, lose support, or cannot find it.
Sports For Champions offers schools the benefit of an additional funds to go towards resources/facilities, whilst helping athletes with the funds required to sustain their journey with a contribution towards training and competition fees, medical costs, equipment, and more.
Halfpenny Lane Junior Infant School will be receiving an inspirational visit from renowned Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Jamell Anderson on the 19th of July 2023 and we need your support!
The pupils will benefit from Physical activity, an inspirational talk including medal display and a Q&A session.
Why is this important?
Halfpenny Lane Junior Infant School is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school and with the help of a visit from Jamell Anderson, this will be enhanced as a school, they are also focussing on encouraging diversity and raising the aspirations of the pupils through sport.
Halfpenny Lane Junior Infant School will benefit from the money raised as they will be able to provide new equipment and fund opportunities for the children in afterschool clubs.
How can you help?
We're asking all parents to help make it a memorable event for the pupils with the help of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Jamell Anderson and to raise funds for key resources for Halfpenny Lane Junior Infant School.
If you are a local business or a friend of the school and would like to contribute to help us get to our target then please do make a donation and share our project as far as you can.