Fil Kamps Kick-Starts Sports Week at Hazel Leys Academy with an Inspirational Football Programme
“Dream big, work hard, stay humble.”
We had a great start to our week at Hazel Leys Academy alongside the incredible Deaflympic Footballer Fil Kamps. Fil is now a retired athlete but has had been on an amazing sporting journey, experiencing the highs and lows on and off the pitch, which he now uses to inspire the next generation.
At the beginning of this Bronze Football Programme, Fil spoke to the students about his hearing impairment, and explained that from a young age, he did not let this impact his life decisions and ability to dream big. Fil highlighted how he enjoyed PE and sport at school because it was the only time he didn’t have to worry about being able to hear what the teachers or his classmates were saying. The students were inspired by Fil’s sporting journey and they learnt a lot about being resilient when faced with a challenge, especially when Fil said…
“Turn setbacks and challenges into motivation to move forward.”
Fil’s passion for the game grew from this age and throughout his youth, Fil looked up to the players on the television and had dreams of playing for England, which he later went on to achieve. Fil left the students with a lasting message for the students about treating others how you wish to be treated and to always appreciate your support network around you, as without them, the journey to success isn’t easy.
After this inspirational presentation, Fil led multiple football coaching sessions, where he incorporated ear defenders into the sessions to encourage the students to use their eyes more than their ears when looking at what space is around them. The students loved these sessions and said to Fil how they concentrated more and felt like their skill ability improved during the sessions because they had to focus on the task in hand. The teachers at Hazel Leys
Academy were also incredibly impressed with how much the students got stuck in and supported each other during our time with them.
A teacher on the day was also incredibly inspired by Fil, because she too wore hearing aids but has always covered them with her hair. This teacher explained to Team Mintridge that she will now be more confident when wearing these and will speak to the students more about her hearing aids, to make them more aware of individual differences.
The students from Hazel Leys Academy asked Fil some great questions throughout the day, including;
What inspired you to play football?
Who is your favourite player?
Do you get frustrated that you can’t hear?
What is it like being deaf?
What position do you play?
Who is your role model?
If you could play any other sport, what would it be?
Do you wish you could hear?
Who do you think is going to win the Euros?
If you would like to know about local fooball clubs for your students/children to get involved with, please see the links below
Football
Corby Town Football Club Steel Park, Jimmy Kane Way, Rockingham Rd, Corby NN17 2FB
Corby Warriors Youth F.C. Cottingham Road, NN17 1SZ
Corby Hellenic Fisher Girls Football Club 24 Bideford Square, Corby Northamptonshire NN18 8DW
If you are interested in a virtual or physical Programme with Fil Kamps or any of our other inspirational Ambassadors, then please get in touch via the Mintridge website at www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk or with Katie at katie@mintridge.org.uk.
The Mintridge Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to enhancing life skills in young people through sport. We provide a support network for young people by harnessing the power of positive sporting role models. The Mintridge Foundation assists young people of all ages, abilities, and physical capabilities to develop confidence and resilience, and creates awareness of the importance of mental and physical wellbeing through sport.
Our team of Ambassadors - Olympians, Paralympians and other professional sports stars from over 20 sports, both team and individual - work with young people in schools, clubs and academies across the UK. Starting with visits including assemblies, coaching clinics and classroom sessions tailored to each organisation’s requirements, our ambassadors can then provide one- on- one remote mentoring in a safeguarded environment, delivered via technology such as FitSwarm and Playwaze to build a lasting legacy for individuals.
The Mintridge Foundation’s successes demonstrate the incredible power of sport; from a mentee’s selection to represent Great Britain in their chosen field to enabling disabled children to find confidence and happiness just through participation. Understanding life after sport, we also support our Ambassadors in their transition from active sport to the next stage of their careers.
To find out more about the Mintridge Foundation, please contact Alex Wallace.