Team GB and University of Hull ‘get set’ to inspire schools

With less than 90 days until the Olympic Games, the University of Hull and Team GB have created a programme to inspire young people to achieve their own extraordinary dreams.

Get Set To Find Your Extraordinary uses the real-life journeys of Team GB athletes and University of Hull students as a springboard for 11 to 18 year olds to reach their full potential.

They’ll learn how qualities like perseverance, resilience and having a positive mindset have helped athletes and students to achieve their goals – whether that’s reaching the Olympic Games, overcoming the challenges of lockdown or being the first in their family to go to university.

Steven Hewitt, Head of Schools and Colleges Engagement at the University of Hull, which is the official university partner of Team GB, said: “The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games this summer will provide us all with something truly inspirational to look forward to after the events of the last year.

A dedicated website has been created for the project at www.getsethull.com.

Get Set To Find Your Extraordinary builds on the official partnership between Team GB and the University, the longstanding support the University of Hull provides to schools and colleges, and the successful Get Set series - the British Olympic Association’s youth engagement programme.

Team GB athletes Bianca Walkden – Olympic Taekwondo bronze medallist, swimmer Luke Greenbank and gymnast Amelie Morgan feature in the education resources, sharing their stories of how they’ve overcome setbacks and stayed motivated to reach their goals.

Bianca said: “I really believe that everyone has the ability to be extraordinary in their own unique way. I hope that by listening to our stories, young people can realise that by persevering and giving it your all, everybody can achieve their goals.”

Luke’s journey forms the basis of an activity for young people to track how their dreams can become a reality. He said: “I wanted to be an Olympic athlete since I first started swimming at the age of nine. But along the way I have had to adopt a positive mindset to develop and adapt. That mindset helped me get over setbacks and come back from criticism when things haven’t gone to plan. But the hard work and determination have paid off and I’m delighted to be preselected to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”

Amelie, who at 17 is a young hopeful for the Games, said: “This has been such a tough year for everyone and young people in particular have faced a lot of disruption. Sometimes it’s hard to motivate yourself when things are tough, but together we can keep looking forward and strive for brighter times ahead.”

Schools and colleges are encouraged to sign up online before 11 May for the chance to win a virtual visit from Olympic medallist Max Whitlock.

Max, five times Olympic Medallist and double Olympic Champion gymnast for Team GB, and University of Hull ambassador said: “I am proud to be a Team GB ambassador for the University of Hull and look forward to being able to virtually speak with students. After the year that they’ve had at school or college, it will be great to hear some of their stories and also share my own story with them for how I stay motivated and positive through tough times and how I feel about the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”

The Get Set Hull website also features tips and information for families and students, building on the anticipation ahead of the Olympic Games to provide further ways to inspire youngsters on their individual journeys.