Joining forces to find the female scientists and engineers of tomorrow

Wasps Netball and PET-Xi Training want more girls to take up STEM subjects

Helping girls consider STEM subjects for their future careers has become the mission of a leading training firm and Wasps Netball.

Award-winning PET-Xi Training, based at Westwood Business Park in Coventry has teamed up with Wasps Netball to encourage more girls to consider science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

PET-Xi Training has become an Official Education Partner to the eight Wasps Netball Academy Hubs set up across the Midlands, Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire to develop and nurture talented 13- to 18-year-old netballers.

As part of the new partnership, PET-Xi Training will lead and co-ordinate a STEM project at six schools in Coventry and Warwickshire with support from Wasps.

Fleur Sexton, managing director of PET-Xi Training, which won Company of the Year at the Coventry Telegraph Business Awards 2017, said: “It is vital more young girls are encouraged to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and maths and this is a great opportunity to showcase the varied and interesting jobs available in these sectors.

“Our project will link-in with the national curriculum and the work the girls carry out will feature at a careers conference at the Ricoh Arena towards the end of the summer term.

“This is a really exciting opportunity to show these subjects are not just for boys and that there is a fun, learning element involved.

“We are really looking forward to giving the girls the chance to show their talents and to inspire the next generation of young female scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians.”

Fleur said the players from Wasps Netball are fantastic role models and its Academy Hubs are an ideal way of unearthing new talent.

“The players are the most amazing role models for girls because they have such a great team spirit,” she said.

“They really support each other no matter what the circumstances in a match and that is exactly the kind of camaraderie which girls need to see.

“Girls are not always as supportive as they could be of each other and in the Wasps team there will be plenty of different personalities but they are fantastic role models.

“We’re going to be involved in the hubs because it is a great opportunity for girls to have a go at the sport which is very much in line with the ethos of our business, which is centred on never giving up on young people and providing support.”

Wasps Netball Team Manager Sarah Taylor added: “We are delighted to team up with Fleur and her team at PET-Xi as the Official Education Partner to our Wasps Netball Academy Hubs and official STEM Provider.

“As an organisation, PET-Xi is passionate about developing and nurturing talent in young people and that is what we look to do through our Academy Hubs.

“Our Academy Hubs are a vital avenue to bringing through the next generation of talented netballers and working with these young athletes to help them progress and reach their full potential on and off the court.”

Wasps Netball Team Manager Sarah Taylor added: “We are delighted to team up with Fleur and her team at PET-Xi as the Official Education Partner to our Wasps Netball Academy Hubs and official STEM Provider.

“As an organisation, PET-Xi is passionate about developing and nurturing talent in young people and that is what we look to do through our Academy Hubs.

“Our Academy Hubs are a vital avenue to bringing through the next generation of talented netballers and working with these young athletes to help them progress and reach their full potential on and off the court.”

By Leigh Mencarini Content Direct Editor
Posted in In the News.