Local GB rower Iona Riley visits Banchory Academy

Fourteen pupils from Banchory Academy were recently visited by GB under-23 rower Iona Riley through Champions in Schools.

During their first session, Banchory pupils heard Iona’s story from under 14 national schools success, through to under-23 silver for GB at the 2013 World Rowing Championships. Iona talked about how sport had given her many opportunities to travel and had given her friends for life. She also spoke about the joy of participating in something she loves and how she strives to win and be her personal best.

Iona typically has 15 training sessions per week, with a mixture of strength and conditioning, dry sessions and being out on the water too. She is currently in 4^th year at university and juggles these commitments with working part-time as a coach. This resonated well with many of the pupils, who themselves have busy training schedules on top of their academic commitments. Iona talked about losing aspects of her personal life, but gaining enjoyment from doing something that she loves and the dedication and commitment that is required.

Pupils did some group work to discuss what sport means to them and what success is: it’s not just about winning (although that is a huge driver for many sportspeople), but about trying your best, achieving PBs and sometimes trying something new outside your comfort zone. The pupils realised how these definitions of success can be the same in their own academic, sporting or working life.

Pupils were then given the chance to ask questions such as: 

How much does your boat cost? About £9000

How much do you eat? Just under 3000 calories a day during full competition training.

What was the hardest thing you have had to overcome? Missing a whole season due to injury. 

What are your current goals? To get back from this injury and long term to aim for Tokyo 2020.

The sessions were set up through the PE department and Active Schools, and Iona will be returning later in the term to talk about learning from failure.

John Dixon, Active Schools Coordinator (Banchory Primaries and Academy)