School of Education news

Troops to Teachers students strike Gold at Invictus Games

Two School of Education students won gold at the Invictus Games – and one was reunited with Prince Harry, creator of the games, who he helped train.

Prince Harry reunited with Mike

Mike, second from the right, is reunited with Prince Harry.

Mike Westwell, seriously injured in the war in Afghanistan, is on the Troops to Teachers PE course and is also a coach for Football 4 Peace (F4P), the university’s ground-breaking and pioneering project that uses sport to build cultural bridges and promote peaceful co-existence in conflict-torn communities around the world.

The 36-year-old former RAF air crew sergeant took gold in the time trial cycling and silver in the road race. He also took part in rowing and a Jaguar Land Rover driver challenge events during the five-day Paralympics-style event, for injured, sick or wounded armed forces personnel, in Orlando, Florida.

He said: “The pinnacle at these games is a gold medal but it’s more about using sport as a tool for rehabilitation of both physical and psychological injuries and overcoming these in the face of adversity.”

Mike was injured during turbulence in his aircraft cabin, which led to the prolapse of two discs in his neck, causing temporary paralysis in his arm and muscle wastage.

Mike Westwell

Mike Westwell

The games, he said, were magical: “It’s very important to bottle the memories, emotions and feelings, for those days when we’re not feeling at your best and don’t see a reason to get out of bed.

“It was an awesome reunion with Prince Harry, and it was an honour to shake the hand of the US First Lady Michelle Obama, listen to actor Morgan Freeman and attend an invisible wounds symposium with President George W Bush.”

He thanked his wife Samantha, parents, brothers and late grandparents and friends for their “support, kindness and everlasting love.”

Dr Gary Stidder, the university’s PE tutor on the Troops to Teachers programme and Deputy Director of Football 4 Peace International, said: “Mike is a very dedicated individual and will be an amazing role model to young people in secondary schools once he begins his new career as a teacher of physical education. In addition, his involvement and commitment to the Football 4 Peace international programme has been exceptional. He is a highly valued member of the F4P alumni.”

Mike with Olympic gold medallist Lindford Christie

Mike with Olympic gold medallist Lindford Christie

Mike is working at Nottingham Academy and will start as a PE and maths teacher at Garibaldi college in Mansfield in September.

A second gold medal was also won in the cycling road race by Troops to Teachers student Andrew Perrin, who is currently studying Secondary Design Technology.

Lorraine Harrison, Troops to Teachers Manager, said: “This is an outstanding achievement for both students. Many congratulations from everyone involved in the Troops to Teachers programme.”

 

Christina Camm • May 16, 2016


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