Tom’s Commonwealth golds inspire fellow Plymouth College athletes - 19/10/10

Published: 19 October, 2010

Tom Daley's double gold-winning performance at the Commonwealth Games 'is a real inspiration to our many other top athletes' says Plymouth College Deputy Head, Sarah Dunn.  "Despite having so many pressures in their daily lives, Tom's tremendous success has shown these young people that their own dreams really can come true."

The champion diver was welcomed back to the independent school, where his classmates and fellow athletes were eager to catch up with him and see his gold medals for themselves.

The school is renowned for its elite athlete programme, particularly swimming, which saw two other pupils take part in the Games and has many more with their sights set on London 2012.  The school's Modern Pentathlon and Fencing Academy boasts a number of national and international athletes all of whom aspire to getting to the top in the world sports arena.  Rugby and hockey are also well represented at senior levels.

Joe Patching, 16, is one of the school's swimmers with an eye on 2012.  Already a British and English Age Group record holder, he is very much on the British Swimming radar after winning gold medals for England in the WISE Home Nations tournament and the UK Schools Games. 

Joe said: "Tom's success at the Commonwealth Games has made me realise how much I hope that will be me in a few years' time.  He's had a big injury to deal with and I think he showed real maturity in taking a step back and letting it heal properly.  His performance was amazing and he proved once and for all that he really is a world-class diver."

Megan Woodrow, 16, started fencing at the school when she was 14 and is now the U16 South West fencing champion and has just represented Great Britain in a 20-nations fencing tournament in Germany.

Megan said: "Seeing Tom win two gold medals in the Commonwealth Games was amazing and I am so pleased for him.  What's great is that he also does really well at school and shows that it is possible to succeed in both sport and studies."

Among the school's younger pupils, Myles Pillage, 12, is the current British Schools Biathlon Champion and the British Modern Biathlon Champion.  Recently adding shooting to his top-class running and swimming abilities, he has just qualified for the National Triathlon Championships. 

Myles said: "It is great having someone like Tom at school.  Winning two golds in the Commonwealth Games is awesome and I hope that one day I might win one too."

On the sports field, Plymouth College fly half, Henry Slade, 17, plays for the U18 England Rugby team while West of England hockey player, Julia Hayes, also 17, is about to attend trials for a place on the U18 England Hockey Team. 

Henry said: "Tom's achievement is phenomenal.  He is only 16 and yet is competing in a men's competition and beating the Olympic Champion - a great inspiration to all of us at Plymouth College."

Julia said: "When I was much younger I was on the British World Class Start Diving Programme and so have seen Tom grow and develop into the top athlete that he is today.  He is such a great role model for young people as it is easy for us to relate to him because he's the same age.  Diving makes sport look fun and through him hopefully more young people will want to take up sport."

On his return to school, Tom was greeted by a giant banner saying 'Well Done Tom'.  "It's been really nice coming back to school and seeing all my friends", said Tom.  "I loved the banner and the response around school has been fantastic.  I'm now really looking forward to getting back to normal and focusing on my school work."