Page 54 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

Georgia Holt (16) was the guest of honour at Ratcliffe’s annual Olympics in South Korea), I started looking online at skeleton
Sports Presentation Evening, held to award and acknowledge the taster sessions. There, I stumbled across a talent identifi cation
hard work of students who have taken part in the various sports programme called ‘Discover Your Gold’, who were looking for
teams at the College. Georgia’s story is awe-inspiring. She is athletes to go into skeleton, rugby sevens, rowing, speed skating
OR NEWS selected for Team GB in cycling. In her address to the students, and defi nitely wasn’t feeling or looking particularly athletic, so
currently part of the ‘Discover Your Gold’ programme and has been
and cycling. At the time, I was recovering from a heart operation
hurtling head-fi rst on a tea tray at 70mph was, perhaps, not the
Georgia spoke passionately about her journey. She said: “I believe
that, in order to realise your greatest potential, you must focus on
in the months that followed, I committed everything to becoming
your dream, your big idea. Always try to keep the bigger picture in obvious choice of sport! Despite it all, I signed up, took a risk, and
mind and be prepared to take a risk. The story of how I ended up a professional athlete. A normal week for me now consists of
being a cyclist with the Great Britain team is an example of this. a minimum of two track sessions (lasting three hours), two gym
Inspired by the achievements of Lizzie Yarnold and Laura Deas sessions lifting weights, at least one roller session and a road ride,
(who won gold and bronze medals in the skeleton at the Winter plus all my university work! Discipline is crucial, as are commitment
and resilience. By far, the best part of my sporting journey is the
people I have met. I’m achieving my dream in a sport that I love.”

On 23rd January 2019, as part of Ratcliffe’s INSPIRE talks, Tom in the Army. He also talked about the strong sense of camaraderie
Parker (99) gave a fascinating and engaging presentation in the BUOTC, describing how close-knit the Fusiliers are, being
to the Ratcliffe students about his time at the Birmingham a real family unit in often high-pressured environments. Looking
University Offi cer Training Corps (BUOTC), describing the various back, Tom said that his time as Head of CCF at Ratcliffe really
adventurous training opportunities that he has been lucky prepared him for later life, as the frequent adventurous training
enough to experience. From scuba diving in Egypt to skiing in Val- opportunities available at the College were just like the BUOTC
d’Isère, Tom has certainly had an interesting university experience (although, at university, they were free trips, while also earning
since leaving the College. He told the students that Ratcliffe around £30 per day for joining the BUOTC, such as tunnel
had really prepared him for university, most notably giving him warfare training in Gibraltar). Looking to the future, Tom hopes
the confi dence and ability to talk to, and interact with, people to continue in his management role in the Fusiliers and is looking
of all ages. This really pushed him into joining the BUOTC, and forward to a two-month trip to Australia with his regiment. The
from there, he joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, taking on a Association would like to thank Tom for coming into Ratcliffe and
management role of 30 soldiers at the age of 23. He highlighted giving such an interesting talk about his role and about the career
the vast range of opportunities that there are for students, opportunities available in the Army. As Tom said, “Getting paid to
including the jobs for doctors, nurses and vets that are available travel the world – you can’t argue with that!”

54 The Old Ratcliffi an 2019