Attending The Holgate Academy through GCSEs and sixth form was a transformative experience that allowed me to balance my passion for cricket with my studies. Holgate shaped me both as a person and as a cricketer, providing the support and encouragement I needed to pursue my goals.
The PE department played a crucial role in my development. They not only supported me in playing cricket but also regularly checked in on my progress. Some even came to watch my games—a gesture that meant so much to me then and continues to mean a lot now. Their support didn’t stop after I left school, which speaks volumes about their dedication to their students.
Throughout my time at Holgate, I was surrounded by an incredible group of friends who pushed and supported me. As a female athlete, I always felt encouraged and empowered to keep striving for my goals. Both my teachers and friends understood the challenges of balancing the demands of becoming a professional cricketer with studying and navigating life as a teenager, and their understanding made all the difference.
Since leaving Holgate, I’ve achieved my dream of becoming a professional cricketer. I’ve played for Lancashire County Cricket Club, currently play for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, and have had the incredible honour of competing in The Hundred. Alongside my sporting career, I completed a BSc in Sports Science with a 2:1 at Loughborough University and am now pursuing a master’s in leadership in sport, also at Loughborough. I’ve also spent the last three winters playing cricket in Australia, and I’m now a Level 3 ECB-qualified coach.
Holgate gave me the foundation to pursue these achievements and the confidence to dream big. To the current students, especially those with aspirations in sport, I’d encourage you to embrace every opportunity, lean on the support around you, and trust in your journey. With hard work, balance, and belief, you can achieve incredible things.
Thank you, Holgate, for being such an integral part of my story.
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Ready to dive back in? Joining The Holgate Academy alumni network is easy. Email our team to update your details and let us know how you’d like to be involved. This could include providing a testimonial.
Made at Holgate
Please visit our dedicated alumni page, Made at Holgate, for more inspiring stories and experiences from our former students, and to learn how you can become part of our unique network.
