Zara Dampney is a London 2012 Olympian who is passionate about encouraging young people to believe in themselves and strive for excellence.
With a background in both indoor and beach volleyball, Zara’s journey is a brilliant example of how determination, focus, and adaptability can lead to incredible success.
Sport has always played a central role in Zara’s life. At school, she excelled in athletics and quickly discovered a talent for volleyball. She began competing for South West England and progressed to England juniors and seniors in indoor volleyball. But when the London 2012 Olympics were announced, Zara made a bold move — switching her focus to beach volleyball with the dream of representing Team GB on home soil.
That dream became a reality when she climbed the world rankings and qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Her inspiring journey captured national attention and helped raise the profile of beach volleyball in the UK.
Now a sought-after speaker and mentor, Zara is committed to raising aspirations in young people, showing them what’s possible with passion and perseverance. Whether speaking in schools or at corporate events, Zara shares powerful lessons around goal-setting, resilience, and what it really takes to be your best — both on and off the court.
If you’re looking for a warm, engaging, and relatable speaker who connects brilliantly with audiences of all ages, Zara Dampney is a brilliant choice.
What makes a team truly successful? Our athletes reveal the secrets behind high performing teams, whether it is a sports squad, a relay team, or a support network behind the scenes. They share how trust, clear roles, good communication, and a shared goal lead to outstanding results. Pupils will learn how these lessons apply not just in sport, but in school groups, projects, and friendships too.
Every athlete faces tough times, whether it’s injury, defeat, or personal challenges. In this talk, our athletes open up about the adversity they have experienced and how they found the strength to bounce back. Pupils will learn about the importance of resilience, determination, and staying positive in difficult situations. These are valuable lessons they can use in school, sport, and life.
Having a growth mindset means believing you can improve through effort, learning, and perseverance. In this talk, our athletes explain how this way of thinking has helped them deal with setbacks, learn from mistakes, and keep improving, no matter the odds. Pupils will be encouraged to embrace challenges, stay positive, and understand that hard work and resilience lead to progress in sport and in life.
Reaching the top in sport takes more than talent. It requires leadership and performing at your very best when it matters most. In this talk, our athletes share how they prepare to deliver under pressure, lead by example, and bring out the best in themselves and those around them. Pupils will learn how strong leadership, focus, and self-belief can help them achieve their own peak performance in school, sport, and life.
Zara had such a positive impact by attending the session, she showed the girls what can be achieved by dreaming big and working hard!
Zara was extremely professional and friendly throughout, she responded to all requests with great charm and will have created a real sporting legacy amongst the participants, volunteers and staff.
Inspirational Athletes connects schools & communities with elite athletes who inspire, motivate and engage young people through talks, workshops and sports sessions.
Address:
Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 1RD
Phone:
020 7993 2724
Inspirational Speakers has been providing high profile keynote speakers and entertainers for over 25 years.
