VIDEO Youngsters at Copleston High School in Ipswich enjoyed a visit from former England and London Irish rugby player Rob Hardwick.Hardwick is part of a team of champion sportsmen who visit schools across the country as part of the Living For Sport initiative to help engage young people aged 11 to 16 with more areas of school life and to help them reach personal goals.

YOUNGSTERS at Copleston High School in Ipswich enjoyed a visit from former England and London Irish rugby player Rob Hardwick.

Hardwick is part of a team of champion sportsmen who visit schools across the country as part of the Living For Sport initiative to help engage young people aged 11 to 16 with more areas of school life and to help them reach personal goals.

He joined a group of youngsters from both Copleston and Britannia Primary School as they learned how to rock climb in the school's sports hall and then spoke to students from across the years about the importance of getting a decent education.

The Athlete Mentors use personal stories from their childhoods and their experiences as successful athletes to illustrate behavioural messages and communicate life skills, inspire, challenge and encourage students to achieve their full potential in school.

The initiative is designed to give young people the opportunity to try a range of sporting activities, from archery to martial arts, while working toward personal targets to improve their performance in school.

See footage of Rob's motivational speech to pupils at www.eveningstar.co.uk