Thierry Henry, Sky Academy Ambassador, surprises teacher with Sky Sports Living for Sport Award
Natalie Wilsher, a teacher at The Sele School, received the surprise of a lifetime when she was unexpectedly presented with the Sky Sports Living for Sport Teacher of the Year award for UK and Ireland by Sky Academy Ambassador and football legend Thierry Henry.
Thinking she was on a tour of Sky Studios and the Sky Academy Skills Studios, Natalie was thrilled to be given the opportunity to watch Thierry and Saturday Night Football presenter David Jones rehearse. Completely unware that she was live on Sky Sports News HQ, Natalie was stunned when Thierry stopped talking about Premier League managers and started discussing her achievements and Sky Sports Living for Sport projects. You can watch the whole suprise and how it happened above.
Natalie was chosen as this year’s Teacher of the Year by a panel of judges for her outstanding commitment and creative approach to running Sky Sports Living for Sport across The Sele School. The projects have not only improved confidence but also boosted academic performance in areas such as literacy and making reading fun by linking it to football.
After presenting the award Sky Academy Ambassador Thierry Henry said, “Natalie’s dedication to Sky Sports Living for Sport over the past seven years is truly fantastic, she is a very worthy winner. The positive impact Natalie and her projects have had on the lives of her students showcases what Sky Sports Living for Sport is all about.”
Sky Sports Living for Sport Senior Athlete Mentor and 2014 UK Pro Halfpipe Champion Mike Mullen who has visited The Sele School said, "I have worked with Natalie at least eight times over the years and every visit has been unique. She has a rare ability as a teacher to find creative ideas to teach science through practical games and tasks. From using a game of tag to demonstrate how our immune system fights pathogens in our bodies, to students trying a BMX trick in class to understand forces in physics. “
“Besides being the first female Lacrosse coach for Wales, she shows great compassion towards the needs of her students especially ones who struggle to cope with school. Natalie shows great knowledge and understanding of students and goes the extra mile in her work and I'm so pleased she has been recognised for her dedication and imagination as a teacher."
Natalie is one of thousands of teachers carrying out Sky Sports Living for Sport projects in secondary schools across the UK and Ireland. If you would like your school to be involved in this free Sky Academy initiative simply sign up here.
To find out more about the amazing impact that Sky Sports Living for Sport can have on young people, check out our stories on the Sky Academy website, or see our Social Impact update from our latest Bigger Picture Report.
