Impact20th November 2024

Ark athletes triumph on the national stage

Through Ark Sport Scholarships, we are providing free training and development for high ability students, so that every child has a genuine chance of success.

At this year’s Olympics, one third of athletes in Team GB were privately educated, five times the proportion of the population who attend private schools. There isn’t more talent in private schools – but there are many more opportunities to progress. The Ark Sport Scholarships programme aims to provide those same opportunities in our schools.

The elite level training and skills development that scholars gain through training days provides them with more opportunities to compete, and at much higher levels. By developing a champion mindset in training, scholars feel they can be proud of their abilities and are therefore keen to showcase their talent in competitive environments.

Ark Globe is now ranked in the top 4 percent of all schools nationally (including private schools) for success in sporting competitions. This year three sports scholars from Globe achieved on the national stage:

Ezekiel Olu-Micah won the Long Jump at the English Schools Track and Field Championships with a jump of 6.47 metres.

Cecilia Victorious was selected to play for the England Under-15 team and the Junior NBA European Finals in Spain.

Jomiloju Hughes won the Triple Jump at the English Schools Track and Field Championships with a jump of 14.26 metres, breaking the championship record and making him the national record holder.

When asked about his success, Ezekiel spoke about his change in mindset:

I hadn’t done any athletics before I came to Globe in Year 7. I started going to clubs and competing, but I was still quite scared. When I went to a competition, I felt nervous. But in the last two years I’ve had so much support with my technique and with my mindset.

During the final, I didn’t feel any fear – I felt like I was there to win.  I feel much more confident in myself now and that I can go far in my life.

_Ezekiel

Ark Sport brings our schools together to compete in professional stadiums so every student can experience the thrill of competition.

Jomi has competed in external fixtures with Globe, as well as in network competitions with other Ark schools. When asked about his journey, Jomi reflected on the ways that competing has driven him to progress.

I felt I had something different to the rest of the competitors.

After I broke the triple jump record, I got a phone call from Jonathan Edwards and Nathan Fox. They said they were proud of me and to keep going. That the record hadn’t been broken in 19 years. It felt very important and exciting to speak to them.

This win made me change my view of how life could be. And that the people you surround yourself with are how you succeed.
_Jomi