“I left feeling grateful for my life, family and education and reminded that I have been privileged and been given the chance to seize opportunities as my life has progressed. I also realise that privilege doesn’t give entitlement, it gives responsibility. It is why being involved in TackleLondon is so important to me and I left Croydon motivated to do more if I can.”
When Ian Braid, TackleLondon volunteer and founder of DOCIAsport, stepped into Meridian High School in New Addington, he expected to give a careers talk. What followed was more honest, more human and more moving: a conversation that reminded everyone in the room why sport can matter so deeply in a young person’s life.
“I went into the Meridian school in New Addington in Croydon to talk to students about careers in sport. This didn’t go the way I anticipated and prepared for, but it was a day of great learning for me – and hopefully some of the students too.”
The morning was a non-uniform development day for 13–14 year olds. Ian quickly realised facts and job advice wouldn’t land unless he connected with what the students were feeling right then. He broke the ice with a simple question:
< Pictured: Amy Atkinson, TackleLondon Schools and Education Manager alongside Ian Braid, TackleLondon Advocate & Volunteer
From there Ian spoke plainly about how sport has been part of his life long before he thought about its lessons. He described how joining a local rugby club nudged him into life lessons, by being thrown into situations that demanded courage, teamwork and grit:
“I haven’t really given time to reflect on how I have benefitted or what I’ve learnt from sport because that’s all in my subconscious. Playing the game and senior rugby from a young age especially put me into areas outside of my comfort zone physically and mentally imbuing in me values that have stayed with me through the years. […] I also captained the Colts (U18) which gave me a seat on the committee, and I learnt about leadership, teamwork, and volunteering.”
Robyn Wallace, Assistant Headteacher at Meridian High, joined the day and played an active role in supporting the personal development sessions. She helped host Ian, supported staff and pupils throughout the visit, and championed the school’s core value of ambition by ensuring the session was purposeful and accessible for all students. Robyn’s leadership and willingness to build partnerships with organisations like TackleLondon help bring real-world inspiration and practical opportunities into the classroom.
Ian didn’t deliver a pre-packaged speech. He listened, read the room and let the pupils’ questions steer the session. Themes emerged naturally: resilience, asking for help and the quiet daily work of deciding who you want to be..
TackleLondon session at Meridian High School
“I spoke about being resilient, overcoming unexpected setbacks, taking on challenges by looking and asking for support from people I knew were on my side that I could rely on. I asked the students to work in pairs and think about what theirs were because they would take them with them into the future.”
Rugby Drills and Mentoring at Meridian High School
He also acknowledged the real pressures many pupils face in their communities and in school life: the teachers’ strains, the unpredictability of home, and the particular challenges some young people carry every day. His message was simple: every young person deserves a trusted space to learn and grow.
“TackleLondon plays a part by creating a trusted environment for the students to become involved in where they are taught about, teamwork, respect, inclusion, discipline and sporting values through our coaches who also act as mentors. Our aim is to get as many of the students involved in our programme as possible to transition into local clubs where their learning and growth using life skills can continue to grow.”
Refer a young person to TackleLondon
We run school sessions, coached activities and club transition support across London. If you know a young person who would benefit from our programme, here’s how to refer them:
- Visit https://tacklelondon.org/referrals/ and click Refer Today
- Tell us: child’s name, age, school, a short note about needs or interests, and a contact email/phone (please confirm parental consent).
- Schools, youth workers or clubs can contact their TackleLondon coach or local RFU development officer to make a direct referral.