Events

Hockey international Alex Danson is the special guest at the Sussex School Games Winter Finals, Lancing College, on 6 March.

The 27-year-old was joint top scorer in the London 2012 hockey side and her opening goal in the play-off against New Zealand helped Team GB to Olympic bronze. She made her international debut at just 16 and was named in the FIH World All Stars Team in 2011.

What do you love about your sport?

It's fast, physical and requires a high level of skill – but most of all I love playing in a team, competing alongside my team mates.

What has been the highlight of your hockey career so far?

Standing on the podium at London 2012 was incredible and a moment I will never forget. We had worked so hard for so long to get there. It was a combination of excitement, relief and total pride to share that moment with my friends and team mates.

What's the biggest setback you've faced and how did you overcome it?

I have dislocated my shoulders on a number of occasions, often close to major tournaments. Being injured is a very isolating time as you are so used to be around training with all your friends. Suddenly you are training alone and desperately trying to rehab over short time periods. The best way I have dealt with it is to plan methodically, work closely with my physio and set very clear, measurable targets.

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Lancing College will host the next Sussex School Games, which takes place on 6 March 2013.

Building on the success of the inaugural Games in July of 2012, there are two events planned for 2013: a winter and summer finals, both supported by headline sponsor Sainsbury's.

Lancing College will host the Winter Finals on 6 March and the Summer Finals will return to K2 Crawley, site of the 2012 Games, on 10 July 2013.

Jonathan Gillespie, headmaster of Lancing College, said: "Lancing College is delighted to be hosting the Winter Finals in March and we look forward to welcoming our many visitors on the day. In the meantime, we wish all teams and competitors the best of fortune in the preliminary rounds."

Organised jointly by Active Sussex and a Local Organising Committee made up of representatives from schools across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, the 2012 Games saw over 1,000 children come together for a celebration of competitive sport.

For more details and for local contact information, visit the Sussex School Games website

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The Triangle, Burgess Hill will be the venue for the next Active Sussex Network on 12 February, supported by Active Susssex gold tier partners Freedom Leisure and the University of Chichester.

Active Sussex member organisations have been quick to sign up and have ensured this is a sell-out event.

Chris Coleman from Sport England will open the day, reporting on December's Active People Survey results and how Sussex fares against the national picture. Coleman will also present a sketch of the new four-year development plans for national governing bodies of sport, due to kick in from April. Delegates will have an opportunity to discuss how they can work together to make the plans work locally, followed by a networking lunch.

The day will be wrapped up by Sadie Mason, Active Sussex CEO (pictured), who will present Active Sussex's four-year strategic framework, building on the strong post-Olympic spirit within community and grassroots sport.

Active Sussex Network, 12 February, Triangle Burgess Hill. If your organisation is not yet a member of Active Sussex and would like to attend future network sessions, find out how to join here 

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Calling all sports fans - come along to our FREE Sport Makers workshop on Thursday and learn all about sports volunteering from Olympic silver medallist Peter Waterfield.

Diving sensation Peter, who partnered Tom Daley at London 2012 in the 10m syncro high board, is hosting the workshop at K2 Crawley on Thursday 7 February from 18:30-21:00. To sign up visit www.sportmakers.co.uk

For more details about volunteering in Sussex, join our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/SportMakersSussex

Below, Pete Waterfield spoke to Active Sussex about diving, competing at the Olympics – and why he chose to get involved with Sport Makers.

What do you love about your sport?

One aspect of my sport that I love is the danger, if I do one thing wrong; not jump high enough, not tuck tight enough or rotate quick enough I could be in serious trouble! That fear makes me train harder and it gives me a real buzz when I get a dive right.

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