We were delighted to welcome Captain Heather Stanning to Gordon’s School on Wednesday 12th November for an Insight Talk. Heather spoke with great enthusiasm about her ‘Pursuit of Excellence’ in both her athletic and military career as a Captain in the Royal Regiment of Artillery in the British Army. 

 

Heather, who won Gold with her rowing partner Helen Glover in the London 2012 Olympic Games, also spoke about her drive and ambition to succeed as an Olympian but not without touching upon the challenges, sacrifices and hard work along the way. Proving that work and elite sport can be combined, she returned to work with the Army a month after the Games and completed an operational tour of Afghanistan during the summer of 2013. She explained how balancing these two commitments enabled her to stay grounded and balanced, meaning she could return to rowing with a fresh outlook on the next phase of training.

 

Parents, pupils and students were given a brilliant insight into Heather’s Olympic journey and even got the chance to hold her (rather heavy!) Gold medal. Our thanks to Heather for delivering such an inspiring and motivational talk.