Former 100m runner

Story

From football to the track

I switched from football to athletics in 2018 after discovering an unexpected ability for sprinting. I had played football from the age of five, reached the national cup semi-final with my school and was noticed by Newcastle United at 12, although I was never called for a trial. By 13, persistent hip flexor and groin injuries were making it difficult to complete a full season, while a growth spurt had also affected my coordination and performances.

My PE teacher selected me for the school athletics team after watching me run during a lesson in Year 8. I began by competing between schools, then progressed through district and county competitions, winning at each level. It quickly became clear that athletics might suit me better than football. The sport also gave me more time to strengthen my hips and lower back and manage the weaknesses that had repeatedly kept me off the pitch.

Gateshead Harriers recruited me after I won the county 200 metres title in 2018. Injuries and continued growth made my first year difficult, but I returned in early 2019 with limited training and won silver in the 100 metres at the North East Championships.

After competition was interrupted by the pandemic, I gradually rebuilt my strength and completed my first full injury-free indoor and outdoor seasons in 2022. That year, I reached the 100 metres semi-finals at the English Schools’ Championships in Manchester, won bronze at the North of England Championships and became county champion over 100 metres with a personal best of 10.9 seconds.

I began 2023 strongly, running a personal best of 7.12 seconds in the 60 metres and winning a medal at the North of England Indoor Championships. However, an ankle injury that spring ended my season before I was able to compete outdoors.