We are delighted to announce that both of the Sportshall UK Final 2018 All Rounder Champions, Yasmin Grosvenor and Cole Williams have agreed to act as Sportshall Ambassadors for the upcoming year.
As well as supporting presentations at their respective Regional events in 2019 we hope Yasmin and Cole will continue to use their well earned title and talent to inspire the younger athletes within their club, area and Region.
Following their win we set them yet another challenge! Kindly both Cole and Yasmin agreed to write some notes of their experience in Sportshall and Athletics in general. We are grateful for their notes below, look forward to seeing Cole and Yasmin in 2019 and formally wish them all the best for the future!
Yasmin
I started Sportshall when I was the first year U13, so I’ve done Sportshall for 4 years. I can’t really remember how I did in first couple years but I do know that it wasn’t important to me where I placed – it was more about the team. All I wanted to do was to enjoy it with my teammates – Sportshall gave me the opportunity to try different things and carry on competing through the winter.
I was actually lucky enough to represent Berkshire at the Sportshall UK Final two times as an individual. I didn’t have my team there, apart from the Berkshire boys team but they supported me through this great experience along with my Berkshire team manager.
My first year up in Manchester wasn’t the best – I think I threw nearly 1 metre less than my PB which I wasn’t very happy about, and sadly this meant I was out of a chance of getting a medal, nevertheless this only pushed me to work harder so I could come back for my last year.
Sportshall came back round the following year quicker than I thought and I was ready to go and earn my place back in Manchester, do the best I could do and prove to myself I can win it. The morning of Sportshall I was a bit nervous, however I had to put all the negative thoughts behind me and focus on the outcome I wanted.
Everyone has their favourite and least favourite events in Sportshall – my least favourite just happened to be the 4 laps. I had my mind set on doing the 2 laps, yet I knew that more people can run good 2 laps and I would have a better chance on the 4, so I challenged myself to run 4 laps. Through the day I stayed focused with my goal in mind and I came 1st in shot with a PB of 12.56m, came 2nd in the 4 laps and 3rd in the vertical jump.
The first year I went up to Manchester – yeah I wasn’t happy with how I did, but I still enjoyed it. That’s why I came back the following year and didn’t give up just because it knocked my confidence a bit. I came back stronger and I’m glad I got to experience 4 years of Sportshall and finish it on a high.
Sportshall is something for you to enjoy and if you have fun that’s all that matters.
Cole
I have been competing in athletics since the under 11s, joining Stratford upon Avon athletics club at the age of 9.
I have taken part in Sportshall Athletics for Warwickshire at u11s, u13s and u15s and was part of the Warwickshire team that made it to the UK Final for 2 years in a row – last year being the year that Warwickshire won.
I was delighted to medal in all 3 events at the final last year – winning the All Rounder Champion title of which I am very proud.
Outside of sportshall, I compete in Track and Field – specialising in Sprint hurdles.
In my final year of u15s I made it to The English Schools finals and hope to make the Warwickshire Team again this season.