A Welsh GB&NI Para-Athlete has returned to his former school to deliver a masterclass and inspire the next generation of sport stars.
Harrison Walsh, a F44 discus thrower and 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, returned to Oystermouth Primary School in Mumbles, Swansea to teach discus to year six pupils. The 28-year-old also took questions on what it takes to be a successful athlete and how to triumph over adversity.
The visit was arranged by law firm Irwin Mitchell, which has teamed up with British Athletics to highlight the amazing stories of the nation’s GB&NI para-athletes, while showing young people how they can follow their example in their own lives.
It forms part of Irwin Mitchell’s Imagine campaign, which showcases how those who have experienced a life-changing illness or injury, have overcome challenges to help them start to imagine what’s possible.
Julie Lewis, Regional Managing Partner at Irwin Mitchell, said:
“We’ve supported many clients over the years who have experienced serious injury and helped them face many challenges as they rebuild their lives.
“Sport has played a vital role for so many people we’ve worked with and Harrison’s story is another fantastic example of what can be achieved when people focus on what they can do, not what they can’t.
“Harrison is an inspiration to so many people and we’re delighted to have partnered with him and British Athletics to see him inspire a whole new generation at his former school.
“We’re proud of our history of championing disability sport and Harrison and our other athletes showcase the very best of what people can accomplish.”
Harrison began his sporting journey as a prop and was considered one of the finest prospects in Welsh rugby, when a freak knee injury ended his career at 18 and changed his life overnight.
Harrison was told he’d struggle to walk and might never run again but turned to para-athletics. Due to participate in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, an ankle injury led to further disappointment, but Harrison bounced back to secure bronze in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and now has his eyes set on success at this year’s Paralympic Games in Paris.
Spending the day at Oystermouth Primary School, Harrison met up with his former teacher Caroline Morgan, took a PE lesson to introduce pupils to the discus and took part in a Q & A session, showing the children his medals while outlining his own road to success.
Harrison said: “It’s brilliant to be coming back to Oystermouth Primary School. This is where I learnt to enjoy sport and really realise sport is something I could do and that I could excel at and enjoy.
“It’s always lovely to see Mrs Morgan. I remember Mrs Morgan was my year two teacher and she always got the best out of you.
“Seeing the kids so excited about sport is just awesome. To do a Q& A session with year six and see how excited they are about their next step and then excited about the medals. In the conversations, some of the questions were brilliant.”
Harrison added: “Inclusivity is so important. To give everyone that opportunity to thrive. The thing I’m most proud of in sport is taking up the opportunity when it presented itself. Not being scared, putting fear in the back seat and just going for it.”
British Athletics said: “British Athletics is proud to partner with Irwin Mitchell, as we celebrate the role they’ve played in taking our para athletes back to their schools and communities to inspire the future generations.
“We understand where it started for our athletes – their schools, their local communities and their families – and how these were crucial building blocks to their success on and off the field of play.”
There are 9.4m disabled people in England but only one in six takes part in sport regularly. The Imagine campaign from Irwin Mitchell is part of efforts to encourage more people to get involved.
[Lead image: Irwin Mitchell]
