We were thrilled to welcome back former pupil Becky Ives, who is now a well-known face in sports media, presenting and reporting for TNT Sports. Her primary focus is football, covering top-tier events like European competitions, the Premier League, and the National League. Becky’s journey from being a student at Woodhouse Grove to one of the most prominent sports presenters has been remarkable.

During her time at Woodhouse Grove, Becky was captain of the 1st team netball, showing early leadership and passion for sport. From competing as a High Board Diver and swimmer at county and national levels to working alongside premier football clubs like Manchester United and West Ham United, she has built an inspiring career. Her journey demonstrates how diverse the world of sport truly is, from being in front of the camera to hosting corporate events for big teams. Quoted from Becky while she spoke the sixth formers “and this is what Woodhouse Grove really sets you up for, being around so much sport it enhances your knowledge to understand different careers within sport!”.

Sixth Formers, including the captains of netball, rugby, and cross country, had the privilege of sitting down with her. They asked insightful questions about her career and how she transitioned from being a student at Woodhouse Grove to a sports broadcaster. Becky even flipped the script, interviewing the students about their own goals and aspirations while reflecting on how the school has evolved over the years.

In addition, Becky spoke to other sixth formers and Year 10s during BTEC Sport and Core PE sessions, emphasising the vast opportunities available within the sports industry beyond playing. Her visit opened the students’ eyes to the many different career paths in sports, inspiring them to think more broadly about their futures. As a result of the positive reception, we are excited to introduce a new initiative: inviting a guest speaker every term from various roles within the sports world to help widen our students’ understanding of the opportunities available.