Inspiring Youth Sport

After a weekend of training, it was great to get out to the Hartford Church of England School in Northwich today as part of my role as Youth Sport Trust Ambassador.

The school won a photo competition that the Youth Sport Trust ran and I judged back as part of National School Sport Week back in June. There were thousands of schools taking part, who were invited to tweet images of the activities they were holding to celebrate the week. The photo that impressed me the most was one of the Hartford pupils taking part in capoeira, a Brazilian martial art which features elements of dance, acrobatics and music, I loved the brilliance and concentration of Reece doing capoeira.

I had a really fun day at Hartford, watching the pupils displays of various sports and talking to them about my experiences and the challenges I've faced to get to where I am today. It is great to see the school expanding on National School Sport Week by getting involved in such a wide range of sports activities and really continuing the legacy left by London 2012.

Pressures of being a Panellist

I was really honoured when the BBC invited me to be one of the judging panel to select their Young Sports Personality of the Year, and today I travelled to the BBC in Salford to take my seat among the other panellists. Past winners include Andy Murray, Tom Daley and Ellie Simmonds, so there was quite some pressure on us, and with so many talented young people in sport, how could we choose just ten for the shortlist ?

We were able to review each of the shortlist and came up with our final ten. I hope the public agree and approve of our choices! Have a look at the BBC Sport website for all the information www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality/30208977

Honoured by an Award

The British Athletics Writers Association held their annual awards lunch in London today and as I am away at a training camp I wasn't able to attend, which is a real shame as I am delighted to have been awarded their Female Para Athlete of the Year award!

Fortunately Ian from our management company, 17 Management, was able to step in and collect the award for me.  I think I would have much rather been there eating a lovely lunch than pushing round the track in the cold wet weather....no glamour in an athletes life!

Helping to Make a Change

I had the chance to attend a "Get Set" event in Leeds today. It was fantastic to see the London 2012 legacy is living on through this programme run by young people who were inspired by the Olympics and have set out to make a change. The teams of young people, known as the Legacy Leaders, have pledged to encourage and motivate others to take part in sports and other physical activities. Have a look at their website for more information. www.makeachange.org.uk

I also got to meet the lovely Beth Tweddle while I was there too.

Supporting our Supporters

I had a wonderful time at the British Athletics Supporters Club event, held last night in Coventry. It was really great to be able to meet and thank some of the supporters of athletics. I know some travel far and wide to follow us and the support often helps lift us even more during competition.

Congratulations to Jo Pavey on being named BASC Athlete of the year. Definitely a most worthy winner.

Improvised acceptance speech

I attended the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sports Awards tonight and I had to make my first acceptance speech! I hadn't prepared for that, but I am so happy to be a winner! Thank you CSW Sport for naming me your Higher / Further Education Sports Person of the year.