A fencer at a Somerset independent school has been chosen to participate in a year-long mentoring programme.
Millfield pupil, David Williams, has been paired with London 2012 Olympian and five-time GB Senior Sabre Champion, James Honeybone, as part of the True Athlete Project (TAP).
Two coaches at the school have also been selected to take part in the initiative, which matches experienced professionals with young aspirants in a bid to help promote mental wellbeing.
Tristan Parris and Glen Golding will be paired, respectively, with a Scottish triathlete and T37 para-200m runner.
“I strongly believe that this programme can offer support and guidance to serious athletes like me as I hope to make the next step in my career,” said Williams.
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“I really enjoyed working with the True Athlete Project’s founder, Sam Parfitt, at a camp in Nottingham, as we looked into the strength of being present in the moment and being mindful,” continued Williams. “Not only is this very important to an athlete but also to a human being in general.”
“We’re so proud to welcome David, Tris and Glen as our newest teammates,” added Parfitt. “And we’re also thrilled to embark on such a pioneering project with British Fencing. Together, we are showing how kindness and compassion go hand-in-hand with becoming a high performing athlete, and our hope is that this approach ripples out across sport in the UK!
“As a charity formed of Olympians, Paralympians, clinical and sport psychologists, mindfulness teachers and even policymakers, our team is acutely aware of the struggles athletes face. We are delighted, therefore, that we are able to deliver such supportive and special opportunities for young athletes.”
