Oakham School welcomed a stellar line-up of elite athletes and sports professionals for its third annual Sporting Futures event.
More than 100 young athletes aged 15–18, joined by their families, gathered for an evening packed with expert insights, personal stories, and invaluable networking.
The evening featured keynote talks from former Oakham School pupils England and Leicester Tigers rugby star Jack van Poortvliet and GB hockey player Matt Ramshaw, who together with para badminton athlete Yasmin Eissa, shared their journey to elite sport and the challenges they overcame along the way.
Yasmin Eissa, Matt Ramshaw, Dr Iain Simpson, Ashley Light, Jack van Poortvliet.
Ashley Light, performance director of New Zealand Snow Sport, offered strategic guidance drawn from his experience helping them to double its Olympic medal count over two decades.
The evening culminated in a vibrant networking reception, where attendees connected with more than 30 special guests, including university representatives, professional coaches, and elite athletes – gaining firsthand advice on how to thrive on and off the field in the world of elite sport.
“It’s been fantastic to see Sporting Futures grow each year,” said Dr Iain Simpson, head of sports partnerships at Oakham School.
“We’re proud to offer an event that helps young athletes and their families make sense of the journey ahead, especially when it comes to balancing sport and studies.”