Sports talk at Bexhill College

Leon Legge, now playing for League 1 Brentford FC, was the star attraction, as the ex Bexhill College student came back to explain how he had become a professional footballer at the ripe old age of 24 and the sacrifices needed to be made to play professionally.

Leon spoke about the intensity of pre-season training, missing his family and girlfriend as he moved to west London to be nearer the home of his new club and the thrill of playing in front of 25,000 fans at Norwich City's Carrow Road.

He wasn't the only representative of a professional club as Charles Amstad, Hospitality and Catering manager for Fulham FC was in attendance to give an insight into the many career opportunities available at a top flight club and the dedication needed to become part of their success.

Leisure Freedom General Manager Paul Wilson spoke about his early career as a professional footballer at Gillingham and how his hard work and commitment to learning meant that he had a career to go into when his venture at Gillingham FC didn't work out exactly to plan.

Continuing the theme, Cooden Golf Club assistant professional Paul Nessling spoke of the importance of goal setting in pursuit of his career in sport which could have led to a professional contract at numerous football clubs but ended with his decision to go for the safer long term bet of a career in golf.

One theme running through the day was the fact that all the speakers had worked hard to get where they are and had to continue to work hard to stay there.

Sports teacher Sean Noble said "I felt the day was a huge success with the students benefitting greatly from the guestspeakers various backgrounds and experience. I cannot thank them enough for finding the time within their busy schedules totalkto our National Diploma students."