Our Story
Oliver Hirst
My sport journey began at the age of 4, at which age my grandad bought me my first boat, the Optimist. I learnt to sail at my local club, Scammonden Water Sailing Club, where I found my love for sailing, and the water in general.
I proceeded to progress through different boat classes, and began my racing endeavours in the Topper. It was at this point I set myself a goal, to represent my country.
After a fair few years in the topper I moved into the Ilca 4.7, which is the first ever boat I competed outside of my club in. I competed in the Northern Regional Championships for a year before being selected for the Northern Youth training group, a select few sailors who are deemed to have potential to grow within the sailing world.
Around 6 months later, I progressed into the ILCA 6, and shortly after got selected for the Draycote Academy, a well known training squad in the midlands. At this point, I was making a name for myself nationally through youth and open age national championships, still with my end goal in mind.
After the Draycote Academy camp, I moved into the Ilca 7, and received my first ever sponsorship by one of the countries biggest sailing brands, and qualified for the U21 ILCA 7 World Championships, 2024. I was 17 when I received the news, and I flew out to Portugal with Team GB to compete for my country, a life long dream of mine.
Post World Championships, I found my love for coaching through my college course, Sport Development & Coaching. I also got selected for an additional college course, DiSE ( Diploma in Sporting Excellence) this was a great achievement as I was 1 of 22 people in the country who were fortunate enough to have received the opportunity.
Through my college experience, I received the opportunity to coach in different countries, with different groups of demographics of children, even coaching in different languages. All of these experiences shaped me and allowed me to be in the position I am in today, I also believe that all my experiences in sport shaped my current work ethics and beliefs, such as hard work beats talent, and sport being able to have such a big impact on a persons life, and the lessons it is able to teach, which can stick with a person for life.
Olivia Loraine
I started playing football when I was five years old, after being introduced to the sport by my PE teacher in primary school. I then joined my first team, which was a mixed boys’ and girls’ team, and I played there for many years.
From there, I went to trials for Leeds United and spent several years in one of their academy setups. This experience not only made me a better player, but also taught me that hard work beats natural talent. I believe this is where my strong work ethic first developed.
After my time at Leeds, I joined Brighouse Town and became part of their Under-17s team. When I turned 17, I was given the opportunity to train with the first team, and a few weeks later, I made my first-team debut. Since then, I have continued to be involved with the Brighouse Town first-team setup.
Brighouse Town has given me more than just the chance to play first-team football; they have also helped me develop my coaching skills. I have supported their Development Centre and even had the opportunity to set up and coach my own Under-8s team.
I also discovered my passion for sports coaching while studying at LLS, where I received a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Sport Development. Where I was given the opportunity to go out to many different countries and coach different demographics of children where I learnt that coaching is not only about how you communicate through worlds but also through body language and actions. During my time there, I met many valuable contacts who have become part of my day-to-day life and have played a key role in helping me get to where I am today.
Katelyn Harpin
From a young age, I was always adventurous, spending my time outdoors caving, climbing, and exploring as a scout. Alongside this, I was heavily involved in sport and dance from an early age, taking part in athletics as well as playing hockey and netball. I also danced throughout my childhood, which later inspired me to take on more leadership roles.
These early experiences built my confidence and naturally led me into becoming a young leader, where I first discovered the satisfaction of inspiring and supporting younger children. Around this time, I also completed my six-week Master of Arms course, further developing my resilience.
As I moved into secondary school, my passion for sport continued to grow. Studying sport science strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in sport and opened the door to more opportunities. During high school, I was responsible for the dance club after school, leading rehearsals, teaching choreography, and preparing the group for annual dance festivals. Through this, I also helped promote awareness of the Princess Diana Anti-Bullying Award, using dance as a tool to educate and inspire younger students.
This foundation led me to LLS College Sixth Form, which I joined in 2023. During my time there, I gained valuable experience both in the classroom and through travel. I visited a school in Alicante, where I coached students, put my Spanish skills to the test, and learned about different cultures, languages, and approaches to sport. I later travelled to Finland, where I tried unique and exciting sports that broadened my understanding of the global sporting world. Having travelled from a young age and seen parts of the world where people are less fortunate, these experiences further shaped my perspective and appreciation for inclusivity in sport.
During my final year at college, I began my journey as a business partner at OKO Sports, bringing together everything I had learned. Through all of these experiences, my passion has grown into a clear goal: to make sport fun, meaningful, and accessible to everyone.