Sporting highlights
What are some of your best achievements to date?
Last year I competed in nationals in two roller disciplines (the only person from a Kent club to do so) and finished 2nd in one and 3rd in the other. This year I decided to specialise and won my first national title in roller dance. I have been selected to represent Team GB in the Cup of Europe in September; the highest level achievable in competition at my age. Apart from this I have done many open competitions in the UK over the last few years, normally placing 1st and never off the podium.
What do you do to help you prepare for a competition?
Off season I do ballet, tap and jazz and also strength and flexibility training as well as my roller training. In season I continue with these but my roller training increases and I often have to travel to find bigger halls to train in. On the run up to competitions I eat and sleep well and make sure all my equipment and my routines are organised. On competition day I listen to music in the practice area and walk through my routine.
What are some of the challenges you have experienced within your chosen sport?
The biggest challenge is finding floors to train on that are big enough as all international competitions are on floors much bigger than those in my area. The skates I wear are £500 a pair and my outfits are around £250 each. I also have to travel to competitions around the country and internationally and I now have had to buy the Team GB kit which is very expensive.
He said…
After winning the British Championships and being selected for Team GB this year, this money has helped with the cost of my new skates. They are a great fit and are more specialist for my roller dance, so will make me even more competitive in my sport.
