On Camp with Kelly

Mentoring the next generation of champions

Before Kelly Holmes won her two gold medals in Athens, she approached us to support an idea she had to mentor and educate the next generation of female middle distance runners. 'On Camp with Kelly' was born and has since grown from strength to strength.

Kelly has run a series of overseas training camps, weekend get-togethers, exhibition races and on-going advice and support for around 40 girls since the start of the initiative. All of these are aimed at showing aspiring athletes what it takes to become an international athlete and helping smooth the transition from the junior to the senior ranks.

The girls have enjoyed highlights such as a month-long training camp in South Africa, warm weather training in Spain, an Army Challenge weekend, winter training in Melbourne during the Commonwealth Games and even an audience with Lord Sebastian Coe, inspiring them to focus on their long-term goals for 2012. 'On Camp with Kelly' scholarships have been awarded to some of the girls to help them train and compete whilst continuing their studies. One of the girls has even enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime, to train under Margo Jennings, the coach who guided Kelly to her two gold medals, in Oregon.

2007 was a great year for the On Camp With Kelly athletes, nine girls were selected to compete in international age group championships, with successes including silver medals over 800m for Emma Jackson at the European Athletics Junior Championships and Alison Leonard at the IAAF World Youth Championships and a bronze medal over 800m for Charlotte Best at the World University Games. Seven girls have also been selected onto the UK Athletics World Class Pathway and for Lottery funding.