Event: Women’s Singles
Highest / Current National Ranking: 1
Highest World Ranking: 52
Training Base: National Badminton Centre, Milton Keynes
Coach: Steve Butler & Julia Mann
County: Warwickshire
National Badminton League (NBL) Team: Birmingham Lions
Started Badminton at Age: 9
How I got Started: My Grandad used to play with me and my sister after our tennis lessons
First Represented England: Age 12 at the Under 13 Arros Cup
England Caps: 16
Birthplace: Coventry
Education: BSc (hons) Sports Event Management – 2:1 from Leeds Beckett University in 2013 | MSc Journalism – due to graduate from Leeds Beckett University in 2016
Interests/Hobbies: I love to cook (and eat!) things from scratch and try out new recipes when I have the chance. I am a shopaholic and love adding to my collection of shoes!! After a busy day of training in Milton Keynes, by watching a film or spending it with my family
Sports played: Swimming, Gymnastics, Trampolining and Athletics
Sporting achievements:
National Achievements
2016 English National Champion
2015 English National Championship Finalist
2014 English National Championship Semi Finalist
The Middlesex 2014 Gold Winner
2013 English National Championship Finalist
2013 York Gold Winner & Mixed Doubles Semi Finalist
2013 BUCS Gatorade National Championships Winner & Doubles Semi Finalist
International Achievements
2015 Irish Open Quarter Finalist
2015 Hellas International Winner
2015 European Mixed Team Championships Silver Medal
2015 Swedish Masters Quarter Finlaist
2014 Welsh International Semi Finalist
2014 Hungarian International Winner
2014 Dutch Open Semi Finalis
2014 Polish International Semi Finalist
2014 Uber Cup, Women’s World Team Championships Quarter Finalists
2014 Portugues International Championships Semi Finalist
2014 Women’s European Team Championships Bronze Medalist
2013 Scottish Open Quarter Finalist
2013 New Zealand Open Finalist
2013 Australian International Quarter Finalist
2013 Portuguese International Quarter Finalist
2013 Croatian Open Semi Finalist in Singles & Doubles
2013 Irish Open Semi Finalist
Memorable sporting occasions: Playing in the 2015 Yonex All England Championships with the crowd cheering for me as I won my match to qualify for the main draw was an incredible experience and one of the first times I knew what it meant when top sportsmen say how much the crowd support helped them through. My most memorable this year would be winning the 2016 National Championships with my family there watching and without dropping a set the whole tournament.
Coaching experience: I passed my level 2 in 2013 whilst at university in Leeds. I initially helped at the Bradford PC but then became lead coach for two years. I also coached a variety of levels at David Lloyd Leeds for two years, from 5-year-old beginners to retired men and women. Alongside this, I coached at Horsforth Junior Performance Centre, ran an 8 week course of Badminton England’s Smash Up!, and I have coached a number of junior individuals who have achieved national and international medals.
Influential characters: The most influential characters in my life have been my mum and grandad. My mum has been there for me through the many lows but also all the highs, always cheering me on! My Grandad is the main reason I am in badminton as he used to coach me every day after school when I was a junior and he even helped me with my summer training by coming running with me! In sport, Athlete Jessica Ennis has been a great role model as she went through a career threatening injury and came out the other side an even better athlete and that really helped me through my years of injuries.
Favourite film/book: There are too many films to choose from but I am a huge Disney fan and love a good action film. One of my favourite books is The De Vinci Code by Dan Brown.
Favourite player: My all-time favourite player is Camilla Martin from Denmark who won the 2002 All England Championships followed closely by Tine Baun, also from Denmark. Currently one of my favourite players is Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand.
