During the morning session the 24-year-old GB player presented her international sporting experiences with the A-level PE groups.

Pupil are studying 'nation building' and China as part of their syllabus, so Danson shared her memories and experiences of competing at the Beijing Olympics last year.

She discussed with the group her aspirations for London 2012, the training programme she is part of and the opportunities open to her as an international sportswoman.

Danson met BRCC's gifted and talented sports stars.

In a workshop, she discussed with pupils successes and setbacks she had experienced throughout her career, how she was inspired to become an Olympian while watching the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and how she first represented England's senior team aged 16.

She has amassed 121 international caps and has scored 29 goals.

While in the training camp in China, ten days before her first Olympic game, she seriously damaged her ankle and very nearly didn't play.

This helped pupils appreciate the need for mental toughness and determination to succeed at the highest level.

The group were put through their paces as Danson led a speed and agility training session.

At the end of the day, she awarded pieces of GB kit from Beijing as prizes to pupils.

Jamie Smith, a sixth form student, said: "Alex's presentation has inspired me to try to go further with my rugby career. Hearing how she worked so hard to become a GB hockey player and play at the Beijing Olympics has given me the motivation to try to play higher than county level."

Danson said: "The pupils asked me interesting and challenging questions and certainly made me think.

"They made excellent progress during the training session and mastered some very difficult footwork patterns.

"The gifted and talented programme for young athletes at Bognor Regis Community College is very good, and exactly what you'd expect from a specialist sports college."