Sussex schoolgirl featured in viral sporting campaign

Lewes Old Grammar School student features in Always' campaign encouraging girls not to give up sport

Posted by Hannah Oakman | September 10, 2016 | Sports & Leisure

• #always
• #basketball
• #amelia-sandie
• #lewes-old-grammar-school
• #sport

Sandie, who plays in The Brighton Cougars Under 16 National League Team, was recently chosen to represent basketball in the #LikeAGirl video produced by Always. The advert, which challenges why half of girls give up sport when they hit puberty, went viral within days of being released. 

Speaking in the week that saw 12 all-women basketball teams compete in the Rio Olympics, Amelia said: “I was ecstatic to be chosen for the video. All the girls you can see in the background are my team and it was great that they all came to support me. Even better, my club got paid, which meant we could go on an international tournament tour to Germany.”

Amelia picked up her first basketball at the tender of age of seven and has never looked back, despite being one of very few girl players. At a recent basketball camp, she was one of five girls among 60 young players, a ratio she describes as “ridiculous!”.

 “She’s an inspiration to other young athletes in the school. She’s always wanting to improve and leads by example. I’ve every confidence she will go on to become an exceptional sportswoman.”

Now not only a rising star in The Cougars, but also captain of her school netball and rounders teams and a keen hockey player, the Lewes Old Grammar School basketball player says sport has changed her life.

“It’s has made me so much more confident. Before, I was quite shy, then my dad put me in a basketball team and every team I got into after that, my confidence went up and up. Now I can’t shut up!

“I’ve never thought about giving up. I spent a whole year practicing basketball with no games and when I did start playing competitively we got mullered. We once lost a game 6:108, but I loved it! In a team you don’t want to let anyone down and you are so close to the other people. The joy of playing with all these girls…I have known them for five years now and they are some of my best friends.

“I think people who are in a team are so much more supportive of each other – and determined.”

LOGS PE teacher Hannah Thorpe has no doubt Amelia will make it to the top of her game. She said: “She’s an inspiration to other young athletes in the school. She’s always wanting to improve and leads by example. I’ve every confidence she will go on to become an exceptional sportswoman.”

And Amelia’s advice for any girl thinking of giving up in the male-dominated world of sport?

As she’s already told 21million people: “Don’t you dare!”