ATHLETE INSIGHT
HE SHOT PUT wasn’t always my main event. I was one of those kids who did everything from sports hall to cross country and road relays. I loved the heptathlon. But I saw myself achieving more with the shot and so, as the years went on, I started to focus on the throws instead.
My best friend at primary school convinced me to go along to a training night. I turned up at Halesowen AC and I loved it so much that I signed myself up within days and have remained a member there for around ten years.
Rachel Wallader: British indoor and outdoor champion in 2016
MARK SHEARMAN
I became self coached in June 2014. I’m lucky that my boyfriend is also a thrower – we do the majority of our training sessions together. It works really well as we really push each other in training. It’s resulted in both of us coming away with personal bests. We also join up with talented Black Country thrower Dan Cartwright at weekends; this is proving to be really beneficial for us all, providing fun and competitive training sessions.
I work in a college as a learning support officer. I provide support to young adults who have several learning difficulties and disabilities – Monday to Thursday 9.30am-3pm. Then on Fridays, I take on a different role within the same department as a work experience officer – gaining work placements for the students both within and outside the college environment.
In my spare time, I enjoy a spot of fishing. I also try to spend as much time as I can with my family, friends and my boyfriend and visiting new places.