BOXER and former England international footballer Stacey Copeland has visited Oldham's Alexandra Park Junior School to share her story with children.

She shared stories of how she started out in sport when boxing was illegal for women, and girls were not allowed to play football with boys.

Stacey shared her triumphs and her struggles such as her injuries.

The children were visibly shocked at the idea that Stacey did not receive a belt for her Commonwealth title fight in Zimbawbe, until she challenged the decision to not give belts to female fighters (only replicas at that time).

Each term, Alexandra Park has a sport celebration assembly, to look at their sporting achievements that term, and to celebrate together.

Samantha Hickling, personal, social, health and economic leader at the school, said: "People like Stacey are so important for our children to see.

"It was one of the most inspiring assemblies we have ever had and I feel our children learned so much from Stacey.

"They went away inspired and ready to take on any challenge. I think her message was understood loud and clear with our children, and it is one we share with our sports leaders every day while we encourage children to try something new."

Stacey gave the children four pieces of advice to challenge them in the future but these two really stuck with the children, said Samantha.

"First, be a good egg (when potato is put in water, it becomes soft, but when an egg goes into water it becomes stronger).

"Second, have TEAMitude (a win as a team is better than any win solo - you need support to go as far as you want to go)."

Stacey shared a comment on her twitter later the day she visited.

She said: "I had an ace assembly at Alexandra Park today and loved meeting their sports ambassadors.

"So glad that schools are talking about race, gender and equality in sport. All children should feel able to take part in sports."

Samantha added: "The work Stacey is doing is vital to our young people, to allow them to be whoever they want to be no matter how they were born. One amazing part of the day is that Stacey donates her time to schools for free, through funding it with her paid talks. Today's talk was sponsored by a talk from Studio Retail LTD.

Here were some of the children's comments.

"She was amazing lady. We were so suprised when Mrs Hickling said our sports visitor was a woman as we expected to see a man. She was inspiring and made me feel like I could do anything."

"Stacey was inspiring. I was shocked to hear how when she wanted to start being a boxer at 11 she wasn't allowed as it was illegal. I was suprised she wanted to be a boxer too as she said that boxing gyms smell bad! I liked hearing how she played football for her country as well before being a boxer. She showed us it doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl you can take part in any sport."