It was a day that will long live in the memory for all at Manchester High School for Girls when Double Olympic Gold Medallist Dame Kelly Holmes  officially opened our new £3.7million Sports Complex.

After cutting the ribbon to the new building, Dame Kelly changed into her sportswear to lead a training session for the School’s elite sporting stars, many of whom are aspiring Olympians.

Dame Kelly had earlier fronted an audience of 700 pupils for Question and Answer sessions during two specially convened assemblies.

Dame Kelly told her rapt audiences:

"What has impressed me at Manchester High School for Girls is the enthusiasm and willingness of the staff to help their students develop. The girls have got such a great opportunity to participate in so many sports.

"Sport has always been a huge part of my life from when I was very young, and it can help with confidence and self-esteem, and so many other skills you need when you leave School and go into the wider world.

“I initially tried a number of sports such as martial arts, volleyball and horse riding – I even joined a majorette troupe but gave that up because I didn’t like the uniform – but it was my PE Teacher who encouraged me to try athletics.

“I was aged 12 and entered my first cross-country race. It was cold and wet and I was up against a girl who was the best in the county at the time. I was there in my plimsolls and she lined up in her smart running kit. I managed to lead the race all of the way until the last 20 metres when she passed me, but the fact I did so well made me think what I could be capable of if I dedicated more time towards it.”

Dame Kelly revealed: “I always had a dream of being an Olympic Champion from the age of 14, when I watched Sebastian Coe win Gold in 1984 at the Los Angeles Olympics. The self-belief and passion in his face was incredible.

“My message to the girls would be to never have self-doubt. There are so many great opportunities and a huge range of sports to try at this School so just give it a go.

“The girls I have met here have been so well behaved and a delight to speak to. I congratulate all of the people behind the scenes, who shared a dream to create this fantastic Sports Complex and worked so hard to make it a reality. It is something to be immensely proud of,” she added.

The Sports Complex, rated as one of the best found at any school across the UK, features:

• A fully-equipped Fitness Suite with 16 aerobic machines and 12 weight stations.
• A Sports Hall the size of four badminton courts and which can accommodate most indoor sports, including trampolining.
• A floor-to-ceiling climbing wall
• A luxurious Spectator’s Gallery.
• An air conditioned Dance Studio with electric windows and full-length mirrors.
• A suite changing facilities, staff facilities and an administration centre, as well as its own eco-friendly air-cooling system.

Head Mistress Mrs Christine Jones said the quality of the Sports Centre had delighted the entire school community.

"We spent many hours working on the design specifications with the architects but even I never imagined the final building would be so fantastic. Our expectations have been exceeded and I am thrilled that our girls have such high quality sporting facilities.

It was entirely fitting that Dame Kelly agreed to perform the official opening. Her achievements are inspirational and it was a great honour for our elite athletes to train with such an exceptional role model, and for us all to spend time in her company. It was certainly a day to remember.

"It has taken years of planning and months of construction to get to this stage, and the School is indebted for the time and generosity of so many people, but we now have facilities worthy of future Olympians,” said Mrs Lee Jones.

Head of PE, Sarah Newman, added: “Physical Education plays a crucial role in the School’s curriculum as it not only teaches our girls about teamwork and communication, but it also instils virtues of tolerance, honesty and courtesy.

“We have many sports teams, at all age ranges, playing competitive fixtures both during midweek and at the weekend, and all of our pupils are very grateful that Manchester High School can offer them such outstanding facilities, coupled with high level coaching.”

 * Return to Senior School News to view more photographs from Dame Kelly's visit