Westminster Academy sports teacher nominated for Aviva and Daily Telegraph Unsung Hero Award
Published: 08 October 2010
by JOSH LOEB
A SPORTS teacher has been honoured for her work as an “unsung hero”.
Westminster Academy teacher Eartha Pond, who was brought up in nearby Queen’s Park, is shortlisted for the Aviva and Daily Telegraph Unsung Hero Award for her work at the academy.
Ms Pond is a talented footballer who has played for the women’s teams at Chelsea, Arsenal and Charlton Athletic during her career.
Her love of sports began when she played football in Paddington Rec as a child.
She said: “Coming from this community, I know where some of the kids are coming from and their backgrounds. They know me and they trust me, so when I come into a classroom environment, getting their respect is a lot easier.”
The academy offers a wide variety of sports, including football, golf, boxing and touch rugby. Students have the chance to get involved in sport outside of lessons with initiatives such as Soccer AM sessions.
The new ‘Girls Allowed’ after-school sessions are run just for girls, allowing them to play sport in an all-female environment.
The awards ceremony will take place at Wembley Stadium on November 3.