Vicky Morgan, Athletic Director of Marymount International School London, on positive tactics that inspire students to keep on playing sport
At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, President Mandela said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand”. As a History Teacher, who has transitioned into the role of an Athletic Director, I can see at a school level how these inspirational words can be applied to the systems of school institutions.
Starting my career as a basketball player and football player, at a time when these sports offered so little funding for girls and women, I am excited at the dynamic changes that are happening in women’s sport. In 2022, watching the women’s Euros at Wembley and the Lionesses winning the final in front of 90,000 fans, I saw the changes happening in front of me – I am genuinely excited about the shift that is occurring at an elite level.
“Starting my career as a basketball player and football player, I am excited at the dynamic changes happening in women’s sport”
However, at a school level, how do we as educators inspire young people to embrace the fact that sports and movement are as important as academics? The answer is within the school’s culture and means providing a diverse range of options. We have a headstart at Marymount since the IB requires its scholars to participate in an activity throughout their academic journey. This potent mix of wanting to participate and being required to do so inherent in its structure removes the obstacles teenagers may invent to not participate. And, because everyone does participate, everyone does!
At Marymount London, options range from team sports – including volleyball, football, and basketball – to martial arts and specialist dance training. We also have a strong tennis programme. At Middle School, we have over 75% of students taking part in at least one form of movement co-curricular activity, and we try hard to provide opportunities for girls in High School to continue to balance their academic commitments and exercise. We offer morning training sessions, and use of the fitness suite in free periods – important extra opportunities when demanding workloads, especially in exam years, may become barriers to student participation.
As a female Athletic Director, I have also found that teenage psychology is so important, especially so with girls. Positive motivation and listening to your students about what they want their sports programme to look like are both essential if you want to ensure high participation. We want girls to be confident in how they move their bodies, and we bring into the curriculum important conversations around the menstrual cycle, overcoming barriers in sport, teamwork skills, and how to become resilient.
Understanding every individual student is also vital. One of my idols Emma Hayes, the Chelsea women’s football coach, has said she encouraged others to dream of progress and opportunity, and I believe the same message is important at a school level. You need to constantly empower students, so they continue to work, play, and use sports and movement as a positive force in their lives.
Marymount International School London marymountlondon.com
Further reading: DOYRMS on building leadership skills
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