TWENTY lucky school pupils spent the day training with Olympic champions including Jessica Ennis and Darren Campbell.

The youngsters, from De La Salle School, in Ghyllgrove, Basildon, took part in hockey, judo, basketball, athletics, football, gymnastics, rugby, boxing and badminton, alongside world-class athletes.

The secondary school was one of just 15 across the country to win a golden ticket, following thousands of entries to a nationwide competition.

Sky Sports Living for Sport, an initiative organised in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, held the training day with sports stars in a bid to encourage fitness and build young people’s confidence.

Sarah Rothwell, head of PE at De La Salle School, said: “Pupils had an amazing experience joining Jessica Ennis and the brilliant athlete mentors in Sheffield.

“They participated in newand exciting activities throughout the day, which included judo and boxing. The pupils left the day feeling proud, inspired and motivated.

“They will remember this experience and the lessons learned for many years to come.”

More than 20 athletes were on hand to inspire the youngsters and share their success stories, including Olympic sprint legend Darren Campbell, Olympic hockey star Alex Danson and Olympic 100m and 400m finalist Jeanette Kwakye.

The event, which took place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, was organised by Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis, who is an ambassador for Sky Sports Living for Sport.

She said: “Winning my Olympic gold medal was one of the highlights of my career, but being able to see all these young people in action gaining a bit more confidence and self-belief through sport, that’s something that you can’'t really putamedal on. It’s just an incredible feeling.”