Sarah is a GB goalball player who has also been working as a junior doctor since September 2018. In 2017, she completed a PhD in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge and her work was published in an academic book for the first time. Sarah has been competing in goalball for six years after discovering the sport as a spectator at the London 2012 Paralympics. She is now targeting team qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Please describe your journey as a talented student athlete

“TASS support came at just the right time for me. It allowed me to learn so much about training and nutrition which I continue to benefit from.

“For me, the most valuable service was the strength and conditioning support. The regular contact with an experienced S&C coach and having a program made for my needs allowed me to make great gains on court.

“I’ve only been playing goalball for the last six years, but it has allowed me to make so many sporting gains and also to meet fellow student athletes who can understand the ups and downs of being a dual career athlete!

“In terms of balancing both sides of my life, I love medicine and I love sport - I don’t think I could make a choice between them. It can be challenging to manage the demands of sport and my professional career, but I think that it helps mentally to have both to focus on.

“I’ve been fortunate in that goalball has opened so many new doors for me. For example, after winning a sports award I was invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace which was an amazing experience!”

What would be your wish for the next generation of talented athletes?

“To have access to local, regular support and to build friendships with fellow student athletes.”

Use one word to describe what TASS means to you.

“Balance.”