Marathon runner and sports coach looks to inspire students

Marathon runner and sports coach Rachel Heitzman-Green is hoping to inspire young students to take part in more sport with her London Marathon experience, in particular the female students amongst her students.

Rachel specialises in kickboxing, football and running, alongside teaching secondary school students the skills to and importance of taking part in sport and fitness.

This month, the PE teacher leads a yearly mini marathon for the students at Q3 Academy Tipton, helping the pupils to engage in an event for charity, no matter their sporting ability.

“With regards to the mini marathons, I decided because I’m already running the marathons, let’s try and raise money for charity.

“I think it has helped boost the confidence of students, whether it’s just taking part, whether you win it, make top three or just make it round, you’re contributing to a very worthwhile course.

Particularly the inclusivity of women in sport has played a significant part of Rachel’s work.

“I think in some instances women are treated very, very differently, particularly where kickboxing is involved.

“Some instances have been really positive, and they’ve made a real conscious effort to make sure whatever is put on for the men’s fight is assigned for the women’s fight.

“However, there’s been some where we’ve kind of been a last-minute thought.

“I just feel that men see it as perhaps an exhibition, rather than competitive.

“I do think it is getting better because there are more female in sport.

“It’s important more than ever [women’s sport gaining more coverage], due to the successes we’ve recently with regards to the lionesses having more of the WSL on terrestrial TV, and it’s so important just to inspire the next generation more than anything.

“I think females might think that they perhaps need to prove themselves a little bit more than male counterparts.

“We definitely need more female representatives to really inspire other people.”