Top of your game

Photo: Darren Robinson

Rugby star Kevin Sinfield talks to students.

MOTIVATION was the name of the game when rugby legend Kevin Sinfield MBE gave an inspirational talk to GCSE pupils at Royton and Crompton School.

Year 11 students listened as the 35 year old, who now plays rugby union for Yorkshire Carnegie, spoke about his achievements and the work needed to reach them.

A former England captain, Sinfield skippered Leeds Rhinos to the treble last year. He was also named runner-up in 2015’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

During his talk, the Grotton-based father-of-two tackled a range of different topics including perseverance, self-discipline and dealing with adversity.

He also spoke about the challenge of combining full-time training with studies, which he did while taking A-levels at Oldham Sixth Form College and more recently when studying for a Masters degree in sports business.

Sinfield then took part in a question-and-answer session with GCSE PE students

Sinfield said afterwards: “I always enjoy giving school talks, especially in my home town. Hopefully the students have enjoyed it too.

“People think there is some magic ingredient for success. But as someone who has had to work at my studies and career, I can tell them it all comes down to hard work and perseverance.”