I am currently studying at the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester, in the final year of my degree, which is a BA (Hons) Product Design
400m Hurdles
When I was at Coxheath Primary School, I used to always win the 60m sprint on Sports Day and so I decided to join the local athletics club. At first, I was encouraged to try out lots of different athletics disciplines, both field and track events, so that I could discover which I enjoyed the most. Right from the beginning, I have always loved the sprinting events
I first competed for GEC Avionics AC in 1999, in the Under 13 age group. The club will now be familiar to people as Medway and Maidstone AC
June Plews
My biggest achievement to date has to be gaining selection for my first Senior International in June 2008, when I was chosen to represent England in the 400m Hurdles, running against some of the best athletes in the UK. My other achievements include: English Schools Senior 400m Hurdles Champion, British Schools Intermediate 400m Hurdles Champion, South of England 400m Hurdles Champion twice, South of England Sprint Hurdles, Champion twice, AAA National Championships Bronze Medalist three times, Kent County Sprint Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, 200m and Octathlon Champion on various occasions throughout the age groups
I hope to continue to be selected to represent England at senior international level and to progress to representing Great Britain. Winning my first senior National Championship medal is my most immediate aim, but, in the future, I also aspire to compete in Grand Prix meetings, the Commonwealth Games, the European and World Athletics Championships. My ultimate goal, however, is to become Olympic Champion at the London 2012 games
Apart, of course, from representing England at senior level last summer, I am most proud of winning my first AAA National Championship medal in the 80m Hurdles. I picked up the bronze behind two extremely talented athletes, who, at the time, were untouchable. For me, as a 16 year old, that bronze was like my gold medal
I train six days a week; on the track in Canterbury and in the gym in Maidstone. In the winter, some of my track sessions are replaced by training on the beach at Tankerton, near Whitstable, and I also jog once a week in Mote Park. During the summer season, I will reduce my training load during the weeks when I have a competition
Sponsorship money would be of great help to me. In the summer season, it would allow me to travel to overseas meetings, where I can face good competition and gain valuable experience of running in different conditions to those I encounter in the UK. The challenges posed would, I feel, help me progress to improved performances. Funding would also allow me to stay overnight when I enter the National Championships which are held in the Midlands or further north. I am certain that this would aid my race preparation.
If I were fortunate enough to attract sponsorship, it would ensure that I could continue to develop to my full potential in athletics in the run up to London 2012. I would feel secure, for example, knowing that physiotherapy costs could be met, helping me to stay fit and prevent injuries, but also allowing access to prompt treatment should it be necessary.
For the past seven years, I have spent around eighteen hours each week training for my sport. This has proved a challenge, but has been manageable, as I have had long school or university holidays. As I am now approaching the end of my time as a student, most potential funding streams will now be closed to me. Commercial sponsorship would mean that I should be able to achieve a suitable balance between my working life and my commitment to athletics, in order to still have the necessary time to devote to training and competition
Together with my gritty determination to succeed in everything I do and the unlimited support that I receive from my family and my coach, I believe that there is every possible chance that I will fulfil my lifelong ambition of becoming Olympic Champion at the London 2012 Games.
I am certain that I would be an asset to any company generous enough to sponsor me. I am honest and hardworking and would be an excellent role model, providing inspiration to other young sports people. I hope that my perseverance over the last 10 years, will give encouragement to others to have faith in their own abilities and to pursue their dreams
Muhammad Ali is my ultimate hero. I am inspired by the way in which he succeeded in overcoming widespread prejudice, whilst working his way towards being the world’s greatest boxer ever.
The advice I would give to all young aspiring sportsmen and women is to set yourself regular, achievable goals and work hard - day in, day out - to achieve them. Once you have reached your goal, do not become complacent; instead, move straight on to your next, more challenging target
The thing that I most enjoy about athletics is winning races, of any type – just crossing the line first
I do not currently receive sponsorship. However, my uncle, who is a butcher, keeps me well fed with juicy steaks, free of charge!
I am taking great motivation from the fact that the next Olympic Games will be held in London. The next few years will be an exciting time for Maidstone, as sporting facilities are improved and training venues are developed both locally and throughout Kent. For my own sport of athletics, I am delighted that construction of a new running track is underway in Sutton Valence. This is sure to be a popular pre-Olympics training venue for overseas teams and will provide increased opportunities for talented athletes in Maidstone to develop their skills without having to travel to the Medway towns, Ashford or Canterbury to use an athletics track
