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Dame Kelly Holmes charity event hailed a success!
25th March 2009
The action packed programme was lead from the off by Dame Kelly, as she described first hand to the audience of ex-elite sport performers, as well as key representatives from UK Sport, Sport England, sportscoach UK, the British Athletes Commission and National Governing Bodies of Sport her motivations for setting up the DKH Legacy Trust and why she believes we should be ‘harnessing the talents of retiring sports people to realise the talent’s in others’.
Olympian Steve Parry, Bronze Medallist from Athens joined Kelly on stage to talk about his experience of transitioning from competition and affirmed why a charity like the DKH Legacy Trust, set up by an ex-sports performer, for ex-elite performers is really needed.
Building on Dame Kelly’s vision, Jennie Price CEO of Sport England outlined the sporting landscape highlighting where ex-elite performers could be playing a role in sport. Zara Hyde Peters, ex-international athlete and now CEO of British Triathlon explained the journey she had taken, and how the skills and abilities she gained in sport have helped rise to a leading role in sport. Zara said;
“Having been an international athlete myself, and now transitioned into a career in a National Governing Body of Sport, I know from firsthand the experience and value that elite performers can bring to the sporting system. With 2012 not far away, I think it is critical that sport makes the most of the fantastic abilities of our ex-elite performers, ensuring sport as a whole, as well as up and coming talent benefits from their experience. I am delighted to be working with the DKH Legacy Trust to explore how we in the administration of sport, can make the most of these talented people in the sporting system”.
And the star studded line up continued throughout the two days with ex-elite performers leading many of the workshops, which included David Hemery, CBE (Vice President of British Olympic Association and Olympic Gold Medallist, Athletics, Duncan Goodhew Olympic Gold Medallist, Swimming, and Leon Taylor, Olympic Silver Medallist, Diving, who said;
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to support the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust event this week. Harnessing the talents of retiring sports people is such a great idea. Having been an elite performer myself, I am facing the challenge of making the transition from being at the top in my sport to building a new life and career. I have really valued the opportunity to come and learn more about the opportunities available to me as I make this journey”.
Having a charity like the DKH Legacy Trust which focuses on helping retiring sports stars make the most of their skills and experience will make a huge difference, not only to us as elite performers, but also in sport, in education and in business as these high achievers take all that they have learned in sport into the wider world. I am really looking forward to working with Kelly’s Trust in the future.”
During the conference the delegates also had the opportunity to network with leading businesses like Odgers, Ray and Berndston, The Adidas Group, The Mark Group, and Sport2Buisness. Russell Yeomans: MD of Sport2Business said:
“In a climate where businesses are facing more challenges than ever, we believe that making the most of high achievers in sport in the competitive world of business makes perfect sense. We are delighted to be working with the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust to help retiring performers make the most of the skills and experience they have gained in elite sport, and transfer these as they transition into their new careers. Our business partners we have brought along today tell us this event has been invaluable”.
Dame Kelly Holmes said;
I am really pleased that so many ex-sports performers have found the Harnessing Talent Camp helpful. My Trust is absolutely committed to making the most of the talents of these retiring elite performers and I believe they can play a really important role in a range of sectors. It was a privilege to work with so many people from the world of sport and business this week to make this vision a reality.
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