TWO stars of TV and sport inspired schoolgirls to follow their dreams when they popped in to meet them.

TV presenter and writer Clare Balding and Andy and Jamie Murray’s tennis coaching mum Judy visited Monmouth to pass on their wisdom.

Award-winning broadcaster Balding delivered an inspiring talk at Monmouth School for Girls, while former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Murray held tennis sessions with junior school youngsters at the town’s leisure centre.

Balding spoke to parents, pupils and governors as part of the girls’ school’s 125th anniversary celebrations.

Her illustrated lecture in the school’s sports hall gave an insight into her career in sports broadcasting, developing a theme epitomised by Wyedean author JK Rowling’s philosophy that “if you are not failing, you are not trying hard enough.”

She related her childhood experiences of learning to ride in her racing family, in which her father championed the idea that falling off a horse a hundred times would take away the fear of falling.

As a toddler, Balding learned to ride on Derby winner Mill Reef, and became a leading amateur flat racing jockey and champion lady rider in 1990, proving her father right.

Her reflections on bravery involving “being scared of something but doing it anyway” included her own challenges when asked to present sports such as the America’s Cup and the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 football championships, of which she had had no experience.

Like the careers of many athletes, Balding described how determination, focus, preparation and hard work, plus native talent, can make all things possible.

After a question and answer session, the school presented a cheque for £2,000 to her chosen charity, Ebony Horse Club, which raises the education and aspirations of young people growing up in Brixton, South London.

Meanwhile, budding tennis aces from local schools, including from Monmouth School for Girls’ Prep, were put through their paces in a fun-filled session run by Judy Murray, the mother of Wimbledon champions Andy and Jamie.

The former captain of the GB Fed Cup team, recognised as one of the best skill developers in young tennis players, ran a series of activities to test their co-ordination, team work and movement skills

Her Miss-Hits programme is aimed at introducing more girls aged five to eight to the sport.

“We need to get more little girls to play tennis,” said Judy, who also wants to encourage female coaches in the area to get involved in the exciting programme.