Leah relishing chance to become an Olympian

LEAH Wilkinson is off to Tokyo to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games this month, after managing to juggle a teaching job with training for the ultimate sporting challenge.

The 34-year-old, whose parents still live near Wetton in the Staffordshire Moorlands, has been named in the Team GB Women’s hockey squad, after missing out on previous Olympics due to injury.

Wilkinson has a record 169 Wales caps to her name, after electing to represent the country of her parents, who were also very sporting.

And in the build up to her selection, she continued to teach history to sixth form students one day a week.

Wilkinson, who initially took a sabbatical to concentrate on hockey, told the BBC: “I did miss teaching.

“For me it was really important I had a rounded approach. That involves being in touch with my work and being to use my brain in different ways away from the pitch.

“So it was a no brainer really.

“The hockey was so exciting, but there were elements of me that missed a bit of routine.

“My life has been run by a bell for most of it. So

I missed that, but also I missed my colleagues, I missed the kids - I can’t believe I’m saying that - and

I also missed actually teaching and the satisfaction of that.

“The one day a week this year has worked out absolutely perfectly.”

Wilkinson plays alongside partner Sarah Jones for Wales and Great Britain, and both have been selected for the postponed Games in Japan.

“When you pick up a stick for the first time, it’s the ultimate thing to be an Olympian. So to be within touching distance is magical,” added Wilkinson.

“I’ve seen how hard Sarah has worked for the four or five years she’s been involved with the GB programme and the progress she’s made.”

On hearing the news that she’d been selected:

“It’s just about settling in. It’s been a mad couple of years since I first got involved with GB.

“I’m really excited but until I play my first game

I’m going to be anxious about injury and Covid.

“When I get that first game, I can call myself an

Olympian, which will be very odd.

Team GB Women’s head coach Mark Hager said:

“For many of our Great Britain squad this has been a five-year journey in the making.

“Narrowing our squad down from 26 has been extremely difficult and highlighted the depth and talent we have. I have been humbled by how our entire Great Britain squad has supported each other through the selection process.

“There is a lot of potential in this team and I am very excited to see what this group of not only talented athletes but exceptional people can bring in Tokyo.

“We have a good balance of experience within the group to draw upon as we continue to challenge each other, and I am looking forward to seeing this group of athletes perform on the world stage.”