England Roses international Halimat Adio coached about 120 Sussex girls in years four to six at Roedean. A few told her they want to play for England.

England Roses international Halimat Adio coached around 120 girls from schools across Sussex at Roedean School last week. The pupils, in years four to six, came from state and prep schools around the county for the school’s Netball Experience Day.

Adio, 28, plays for London Pulse as well as England. She worked with the girls on their skills, and talked to them about ambition and the determination it takes to compete at the top of the sport.

Roedean, the all-girls boarding school just outside Brighton, says encouraging girls into sport and nurturing female sporting talent is a key priority, and that the day was part of its commitment to inspiring young female athletes in Brighton and Sussex.

Halimat Adio, in a red and grey England jacket, speaks with her arms outstretched to a room of seated girls, several with their hands up, beside a screen reading Hello, I'm Halimat Adio
Halimat Adio gives her talk to the young netballers at Roedean School. Photo: supplied by Roedean School

“Starting young gives them the space to find their passion”

Adio told the girls her own story as well as coaching them on court. Afterwards she said some of them had told her where they want to end up.

“I believe sport is a way for young people to be themselves and express who they are, and starting young gives them the space to find their passion whatever direction life takes them,” she said.

“A few of the girls told me they want to play for England one day and I truly hope they do. If I can use what I’ve learned, on and off the court, to help them believe in themselves then that means the world to me.”

Halimat Adio stands in a sports hall surrounded by a group of girls in blue and navy Roedean netball kit
Halimat Adio with a group of Roedean pupils in the school's sports hall. Photo: supplied by Roedean School

From primary school to the Commonwealth Games

Amelia Hammond, Roedean’s head of netball, said having Adio at the school was “a tremendous honour”.

“It was a tremendous honour to have one of the country’s top netball players here at Roedean to give such inspirational coaching to so many young netball players from across the area,” she said.

“Halimat started playing at primary school, is now an experienced international and this year she took her place in the England netball team at the Commonwealth Games. For her to come to our school to inspire these young girls and share her own story was special. Everyone really enjoyed it.”

A girl in a red bib and dark coat holds a netball up in one hand, ready to pass, on an outdoor courtA girl in a navy jacket reaches to catch a netball printed with the word Roedean

2 photos, swipe or scroll. Photos: supplied by Roedean School

What it means for you

The day was open to pupils from other schools, not only Roedean’s own: state and prep schools across Sussex sent girls from years four to six. Schools with questions about netball at Roedean can contact the school, on Roedean Way, Brighton, BN2 5RQ, through roedean.co.uk or on 01273 667500.