A former Manchester United trainee (Aaron Burns), a national triple jumper (Darnte Wilson) and a Paralympic athlete (Sam Ruddock) attended a sports conference relating to mental health at University Studies at West Suffolk College.

The aim of the occasion in Bury St Edmunds was to discuss the importance of mental health and wellbeing within sport.

136 learners from West Suffolk College were involved.

All of the guest speakers reflected on the highs and lows of their careers.

The aim of the event was to inspire the young athletes and coaches of the future to focus on the mind as well as the body when training or working in the future.

Mr Wilson, 30, from Ipswich – who had his sights on competing at the 2016 Olympic games in Brazil before injury occurred in the build up to this competition, said: “I was motivated by other athletes and coaches who have helped me both in the past and they still do today. I ruptured my thigh muscle in 2016 and that ruled me out (of the Olympics). I’ve never stopped training but I haven’t competed since 2016. I now run my own bootcamp business and hope to compete again this year.

“It’s hard to be told when to stop as you don’t take no for an answer being an athlete– but being involved as an athlete has given me great mental fortitude and made me evaluate things in a different way. I enjoyed sharing my life lessons with the group.”

Mr Ruddock, 33, from Leicestershire – who recently won a world track cycling gold medal in Paris and has his eyes on more success at the UCI World Cycling Championships that will be held in Glasgow this August said: “Ellisha invited me to talk to students about life experiences through sport and it was a pleasure. I was a late bloomer when I got talent spotted and ended up competing at London 2012 after starting out in American Football.

In terms of his message, Mr Ruddcok said: “Sometimes you will have a bad experience – these things happen to everyone – but it’s essential you move forward as there is always something next. I also talked about the need to train the mind as much as the body.

He added: “I really enjoyed being at the college. It was a good place with a good vibe and good people.”

Organiser of the event, Ellisha Soanes, said: “We put this event on as it’s important we talk about mental health in the sports industry – and how our students can learn from others who have been involved in sport at a top level, so that they can be better equipped to deal with the problems they may face in the future. It’s important that we have these conversations and we would like to thank our speakers for giving up their time to discuss this important topic.”