Sporting heroes Tim Henman & Tessa Sanderson-White CBE to join panel at second Andrew Reed Debate to discuss how sport can change lives of disadvantaged children

On Thursday 5 February 2015, Reed’s School will host its second Andrew Reed Debate at London’s Guildhall, in partnership with the Tessa Sanderson Foundation & Academy, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and Harlequins Foundation.

This year’s debate will focus on the power of sport in helping to overcome childhood deprivation and disadvantage with a panel including sporting heroes Tim Henman OBE, and Tessa Sanderson-White CBE, Chief Executive of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation Grant Cornwell MBE and David Stalker, Chief Executive of fitness charity ukactive, it will be chaired by BBC presenter, John Inverdale.

Tim Henman OBE, is a former pupil at Reed’s School, and he will be sitting alongside six-time Olympian Tessa Sanderson-White CBE, who – like Henman – has established her own charitable Foundation offering an holistic approach to the positive development of young people and their lifestyle through sport.

David Stalker will represent the physical activity sector on the Panel, as Chief Exective Officer of ukactive - a not-for-profit health body comprised of members and partners from across the UK from activity providers to consumer brands, training facilities and equipment suppliers.

Grant Cornwell MBE, Chief Executive, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, will also join the Panel to discuss the work of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, which was established in 2006, with significant backing from Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, committed to creating opportunities that change the lives of those living in the local community. Education and employment opportunities are at the heart of this commitment. Through its strong links with local educators, employers and government, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation works with thousands of young people aged 16–25 helping them to gain qualifications through its education programmes, supporting them on to apprenticeship schemes and delivering job opportunities.

The Harlequins Foundation is in the early stages of development, and aims to offer grants and scholarships to those who most need it, improving access to education, sport and social mobility. Several Harlequins team players will be attending on the night to represent the Foundation.

As well as hearing how Reed’s bursary pupils have benefited during their time at the School, Darren Cheesman – England & Great Britain Hockey athlete - will speak about how discovering the sport via Arsenal’s ‘In The Community’ programme led him to remarkable GB success and changed his life completely.

It is set to be an enthralling Debate in front of 700 business leaders discussing whether sport can really help overcome disadvantage and breakdown social barriers, and the role society has to play to help make a difference.

Tim Henman OBE commented:

“In sport it’s easy to quantify success by winning or losing, but what’s really important is giving 100% in whatever you do. I was lucky to attend Reed’s School as a tennis scholar in their dedicated Slater programme, but was also able to take part in a range of other sports from hockey to golf, cricket to athletics. It was the diversity of pupils who attended the School that made for an engaging community where sport acted as a real catalyst in building life-long relationships. The Andrew Reed quote of ‘a good education is a fortune a child can never spend’ still rings true but we need to ensure we can offer this opportunity to more than just the fortunate. Sport has an important part to play in this goal.”

Grant Cornwell MBE commented:

“At Tottenham Hotspur Foundation we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that engagement in sport can have on young people in our communities, helping to support them to engage in a range of constructive activities. We believe that engagement in sports provision can result in far more than developing sports skills. It can harness a sense of mutual respect and trust, widen horizons, raise aspirations and provide opportunities to young people regardless of race, sex or age.”

Tessa Sanderson-White CBE commented:

“I am a good example of how sport can change a person’s life. As a young black athlete in the 1970s, it was my focus on sport that drove me to succeed – not only on the track and field - but in my whole outlook on life. Through my Foundation & Academy, my wish is to inspire this confidence in other young budding sportsmen and women. I am delighted to be working with Reed’s School on this Debate and am sure our relationship will continue to strengthen.”

David Stalker commented:

“Our work at ukactive is dedicated to getting more people, more active, more often. This has to start at a young age so that an active lifestyle and participation in sport are seen an integral way of improving the health and wellbeing of our future generations.”

 

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