Famous Sports Heroes: Game Changing Lessons for Your School

In this blog, you will learn: 

• About 7 famous sports heroes and the lessons schools can take from them.
• How actionable schools and students can apply those lessons.
• About the education recruitment services available to your school. 

National School Sports Week takes place from the 16th-22nd June 2025 and celebrates the importance of sport for children’s physical and mental health. This annual event was created in 2008 by the children’s charity, the Youth Sport Trust and aims to encourage children, families and schools to 60 minutes a day of PE, sport and play.

A great way to get students active and excited about exercise is to introduce them to the inspiring stories and mindsets of famous sports heroes. When we think of sports heroes, we immediately think of their world records, achievements and their physical strength. But, it’s not just about breaking records and being a champion, there are lots of valuable lessons that schools can learn from sports heroes.

To celebrate National School Sports Week, we delve into the life and careers of 7 famous sports heroes and share the lessons schools can take from them.

Famous sports heroes and the lessons schools can take from them

7 famous sports heroes and the lessons schools can take from them:

• Laura Kenny - Support and teamwork help unlock potential.
• Max Whitlock - Even winners struggle.
• Serena Williams - Pursue excellence.
• Marcus Rashford - Adopt true sportsmanship.
• Sarah Storey - Don’t let setbacks win.
• Tom Daley - Be your authentic self.
• Lucy Bronze - Use your superpower.

Dame Laura Kenny - Support and teamwork help unlock potential

Laura Kenny holds the title of Britain's most successful female Olympian and is one of the greatest British sportswomen of the modern era. Despite being born with a collapsed lung and diagnosed with asthma, Kenny went on to become the first British woman to win gold at three consecutive Olympic Games.

In her career, Kenny dominated the track cycling scene, won six Olympic medals and emphasised the value of teamwork and collaboration within the team pursuit. 

Schools run better when everyone works together towards a shared goal. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the sports field or in a group project, everyone can benefit from fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

Encouraging students to listen to each other and work as a team can help solve problems and maximise team potential. It also teaches them about the contribution of others and the value of teamwork.

Kenny’s talent, versatility and consistency make her an inspiring role model for schools and shows students that with dedication, resilience and self belief, they too can reach their full potential. 

Max Whitlock - Even winners struggle

Max Whitlock is the most successful British male artistic gymnast in history and is an inspiration for young people. With six Olympic medals and eight world medals to his name, Whitlock is the most decorated gymnast in Britain.

But nobody is perfect and even Olympians struggle with feelings of inferiority and pressure to be the best. Whitlock struggled with his mental health and a fear of failing and even contemplated quitting competitive gymnastics.

Schools play a huge role in shaping how young people understand and manage their emotions and it’s important that they create a supportive environment that teaches students about the importance of speaking out and asking for help.

Whitlock didn’t give up and while missing out on a medal, he held his head high and bowed out with grace.

To support students with anxiety or struggling with their mental health, schools can remind students that even Olympic champions face challenges, but true strength comes from resilience and courage, not just medals and accolades.

For example, if a child is struggling with their mental health or a fear of failure, it’s important to remind them that no matter the outcome, winning isn’t everything and with the right support and self-belief things will get better. Embracing failure is an integral part of education and exposing students to stories of imperfection can be a valuable learning experience.

Serena Williams - Pursue excellence

Former tennis player and champion Serena Williams is known for her strength, skill and determination. Considered the greatest women’s tennis player of all time, Williams revolutionised women’s tennis and refused to be treated differently because of her gender or race.

Williams shattered world records to become an unmatched opponent on the tennis court. She empowered young women and used her platform to advocate for gender equality and equal pay in sports.

However, as an African-American woman and athlete in a male-dominated field, Williams had to overcome sexism and racism. Negative stereotypes and attitudes towards women still impact young people and hinder progress. Schools play a crucial role in educating students not just on academic matters but also societal issues and the importance of embracing changing attitudes.

It's crucial that schools provide equal opportunities for all students and treat everyone fairly despite their capabilities.

By teaching students about other cultures, religions and disabilities, educators can break down stereotypes and create a more inclusive and tolerant environment. Having discussions about diversity in the classroom can bring about positive change and encourage pupils to help those around them achieve excellence.

Marcus Rashford - Adopt true sportsmanship

Marcus Rashford is a key figure in the football world known for his sportsmanship, humility and talent as well as his activism and charitable work.

Rashford’s family frequently relied on food banks, breakfast clubs, and free school meals and he learnt the value of charity from a young age. He rose to fame at the age of 18, when he scored two goals on both his first-team and European debut in the UEFA Europa League in 2016 and his Premier League debut against Arsenal. 

Even as Rashford became a standout figure in football, he remained grounded by the kindness he experienced, carrying his sportsmanship far beyond the pitch. His story shows that age or background doesn’t limit one’s ability to inspire change and sheds light on the value of charity.

By teaching students about the importance of charity, empathy and compassion, students can carry these valuable qualities throughout their life and like Rashford, use their voice to make a difference.

For example if a student feels excluded or wants to do more for the environment, they should feel comfortable and empowered to speak up and address the issue. This can inspire more students to support common causes and create positive change.

Dame Sarah Storey - Don’t let setbacks win

British cyclist, swimmer and 30-time Paralympic medallist, Sarah Storey is living proof that hard work and determination can break barriers and overcome any obstacle. Born without a functioning left hand, Storey faced bullying and battled an eating disorder during her teenage years, yet, she never allowed these challenges to define her or stop her.

At the age of 10, despite being told she had started training to be a swimmer too late to be good at anything, Storey continued to train and work hard. At the age of 14 she won six Paralympic medals and was later diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a long-term illness characterised by severe fatigue that left her unable to swim.

Not only did Storey defy the odds and return to swimming but she went on to do even better things. After persistent ear infections, Storey switched from Paralympic swimming to cycling, competing against both disabled and non-disabled athletes.

In 2021, Storey surpassed the Paralympic gold medal record to become Great Britain's most successful Paralympic athlete of all time. Storey is a powerful role model for students, especially at school when they can feel the most vulnerable, anxious and unsure of themselves.

Storey never let her disability, illness or anyone else dictate her life and career and it’s important that all students be taught the same lesson. For children with SEND, it’s even more valuable as it reminds them that limitations and setbacks don’t define them.

Teachers play a vital role in supporting students' aspirations and providing guidance to ensure students feel empowered and confident. It is important that they introduce students to the different possibilities and not to let challenges or setbacks define them.

For example, if a child doesn’t achieve an expected grade, schools should use this as an opportunity to help them improve. The set back should be used as a constructive challenge, rather than letting it knock a pupil’s confidence or define their overall ability.

Tom Daley – Be your authentic self

Tom Daley may be retired, but his achievements as a springboard diver and public figure will go down in history. Not only is Daley a sports hero with five Olympic medals to his name but he is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

At the 2008 Olympics, at the age of 14, Daley was the youngest competitor in Team GB and the youngest to compete in a final. At the 2012 Olympics, Daley won an individual bronze medal catapulting him to national stardom. He went on to win four more Olympic medals.

It’s not just Daley’s sporting achievements that make him a role model for students but his campaigns for the rights of LGBTQ+ people. In 2013, at the age of 19, Daley came out as gay via a YouTube video in response to headlines and rumours about his sexuality.

Daley showed immense bravery in coming out and increased visibility for young people. He paved the way for future sports stars to unapologetically be themselves, an attitude that can be embraced in schools to support LGBTQ+ students and create an inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ staff.

Schools can encourage students to be their authentic selves by using inclusive language, embracing diverse LGBTQA+ experiences and giving all their pupils a voice.

Lucy Bronze MBE - Use your superpower

Three-time UEFA Champions League winner, Lucy Bronze has established herself as a hero in British and global women’s football. Since her debut in 2013, Bronze has played for her national team the Lionesses 130 times and in 2020, she became the first British woman to win FIFA Best Women’s Player award.

Beyond her sporting achievements, Bronze is a role model for young people and an ambassador for the National Autistic Society after revealing she was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. 

According to the Professional Footballers' Association, 60% of professional footballers who have reported they have certain neurodivergent traits have not disclosed them to their team or club. Bronze decided to share her diagnosis in order to break the stigma, raise awareness and encourage others to embrace their neurodivergent traits.

It’s important for schools to ensure teaching staff have the necessary training to effectively support autistic students and those with ADHD. Enhancing understanding of autism and ADHD and meeting the needs of all students is crucial so Teachers can change their approach to teaching and learning.

Bronze describes her Autism and ADHD as a superpower, a great message for schools to create an inclusive and understanding environment that supports and empowers students. By empowering neurodivergent children to embrace their differences and celebrating their achievements they can thrive.

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