Olympic ace delivers a boost to Academy

Roger Black - helping inspire Barnes Wallis students. EMN-160405-133201001

In recent years, students at Barnes Wallis Academy in Tatthershall have competed in front of the biggest names in sport.

So far, Lord Sebastian Coe, Dame Kelly Holmes and Denise Lewis OBE have all cheered students on at the Summer Cup.

It is an event run by the David Ross Education Trust (DRET) to showcase the incredible sporting talent in their network of 33 academies.

Now, double Olympic medallist Roger Black MBE will be one of the celebrities attending this year’s Summer Cup.

And the former 400m champion has sent a personalised video message to students at Barnes Wallis Academy to get them ready for the event.

In the message, Roger said: “I’ve heard the Summer Cup is a really exciting event that gets bigger and better every year.

“If you’ve got resilience, if you’re determined and you’ve got some talent who’s to say you can’t be at the Summer Cup.

“Make the plan, have the dream and really commit!

“So come on Barnes Wallis Academy.

“Work hard, train hard, play your part, and I will see you at the Summer Cup.”

The DRET Summer Cup promises to be the highlight of the Trust’s sporting calendar.

Primary and secondary academies will take part in competitions across a host of sporting disciplines at the Grantham Meres Stadium on June 30.

Barnes Wallis has an impressive record when it comes to sport and in recent years has produced some outstanding prospects.

Shane Ward, Sports Enrichment Manager for the David Ross Education Trust, added: “The countdown to the main event has well and truly begun and we cannot wait to see what this year’s event has in store.

“Roger Black has thrown down the gauntlet to each academy. Students who want to take part need to start the hard work now.

“I wish everyone the best of luck for what will be a fantastic day of sport.”

○ Roger Black won individual silver medals in the 400m at both the Olympic Games and World Championships, two individual gold medals at the European Championships, and 4x400m relay gold medals at both the World and European Championships. Since retiring from athletics, he has worked as a television presenter and motivational speaker*