Crista Cullen Olympic Gold …

On Tuesday 24th April, Ballymena Academy welcomed Team GB Hockey Olympic Gold Medallist, Crista Cullen, to school. Crista gave an inspirational talk about her journey from schoolgirl hockey player to three-time Olympian. Speaking to a captivated audience of around 200 junior hockey players from our school and from Cambridge House, Crista led us through her illustrious career, explaining the challenges she and her teammates faced to turn the Bronze of London, 2012 into Gold in Rio, 2016.

Crista talked about the values she has developed through her involvement in a team sport and the benefits that this has brought to all aspects of her life. She emphasised the importance of pushing yourself equally in the classroom and on the sports field, and how it is possible to be successful in both. The girls then had an opportunity to ask questions and the 200 selfies taken afterwards were a clear indication of the impact her talk had made. Christa is a true role model for any young person to look up to. It was a pleasure to have her in our school.

Report thanks to Miss McNeill

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