STUDENTS from Bradford College Sixth Form have been treated to an appearance from rugby league legend Jamie Peacock MBE.

The visit was part of Bradford Sixth Form’s wider Wellbeing day, designed to help students manage stress and prepare for upcoming exams.

Since retiring from a glittering playing career in 2015, Jamie has turned his hand to skills like motivational speaking and passed on his wisdom to students. “It’s all about raising students’ own expectations of what they can achieve in their lives," he said. “There’s no glass ceiling for them and it doesn’t matter what background they’ve come from, they can still achieve success by making good decisions day-to-day. That’s what worked for me, maximising my talent by being resilient, surrounding myself with the right people, being self-disciplined and prepared to go the extra mile. I break down to students that success is about making these good day-to-day decisions in a number of areas to maximises your talent, giving you the chance of being successful in whatever field you’re in.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jamie talks to students Jamie talks to students (Image: Submitted)

Jamie remains the most successful player in UK rugby league history with a CV that includes nine titles, four Challenge Cups, four World Club Challenges and two Man of Steel awards. “I’ve been really busy since finishing playing professional rugby league and I’ve found the transition okay," he said. “I work in schools in wellbeing, delivering motivational talks and I’m also working for the Leeds Rhinos, a bit for the BBC and doing some leadership coaching as well. I like diversity in what I do.”

Jamie praised the opportunities Bradford College provides for students: “It’s great having academia to underpin knowledge, but you need life skills as well. It’s great that the College understands you need both of these working together to maximise your potential.”

Andrew Ridley-Ellis, College Head of Sixth Form, said: “The Bradford Sixth Form Team, alongside the College Safeguarding & Wellbeing Team, have enabled students to experience a series of workshops focusing on how to cope not only with exam anxiety, but also visualising and celebrating their successes. One of the best things that students said was that they felt the Wellbeing Conference was all about them.”

Reflecting on why the Leeds Rhinos, of which he was such a pivotal part, saw such success, Jamie said: “I think we had a good culture of delivering on our word, working hard for each other and doing the right thing.

Of his MBE, Jamie added: "I was lucky enough to be awarded it in 2011. My dad, who passed away in 2013, was very sick but was only 10 metres from me and the Queen as I was receiving it. It was as much an award for me as it is for everyone who supported me throughout my career.”

Visit bradfordcollege.ac.uk/16-to-18-school-leavers/a-levels/ or contact information@bradfordcollege.ac.uk.