Students come face to face with featherweight boxing champion, Barry McGuigan

ST ALBANS — Earlier this month, four Oaklands College Basketball Academy students got the opportunity to brush shoulders with boxing champion Barry McGuigan as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

On 2 February, Advanced Apprenticeship Basketball students travelled to the famous Lords Cricket Ground with their coaches to take part in a motivating day of workshops and training sessions.

Students heard from Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships, and Barry McGuigan, former world featherweight boxing champion and current boxing commentator, among others.

Lizzy Harrison, Oaklands Basketball athlete commented: “We started the day with a strength and conditioning session, which was held by an experienced coach who has worked with Rebecca Adlington. During the session, we learnt some new stretches and valuable information on how to perform at a high level and prevent injury.

“Barry McGuigan gave an inspirational speech and Olympic athletes such as Sarah Stevenson, who was a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, helped us with goal setting.”

Oaklands Basketball Academy for Girls launched at Oaklands College in September 2009 and has got off to a strong start with wins and good match performances. For more information contact Coach Michael Ball (michael.ball@oaklands.ac.uk).