Pictured above: (l-r) Mark Moseley, practice director at
Band Hatton, with Rowena Cole and her coach Norma Pugh, from Godiva
Harriers
A budding Coventry Olympian has received a timely boost in her
race to achieve success thanks to a law firm.
Coventry Godiva Harriers' Rowena Cole, 19, has landed
sponsorship from Station Square-based legal experts Band Hatton,
for the second consecutive year.
The 800 metres specialist has received £1,000 which will
be used to help with training costs as she strives to realise her
dream of representing Great Britain at an Olympic Games.
The sponsorship comes as Rowena battles back to her best form
after a serious ankle injury last year meant she missed the
majority of the summer athletics season and was sent for treatment
with one of Team GB's top physiotherapists Alison Rose.
Rowena said: "I am extremely grateful for the sponsorship from
Band Hatton, it is nice that they have continued to support me even
though I did not do so well last year when I struggled with injury,
and I think it is important to know you have that support during
the hard times.
"I am back to full fitness now and I will be taking part in
cross country races until outdoor athletics season starts
again.
"My aim this season is to qualify for the European Athletics
Junior Championships in Tallinn, Estonia which are taking place in
July."
Another challenge facing Rowena this season is fitting her
training and competitions in around her studies as she works
towards a sports marketing degree at Coventry University.
"With training, study and competitions I do not have time for a
part time job as well, which is another reason why this sponsorship
is so important," she said.
"Sport remains my priority and luckily I live in a house full of
other athletes who are all very committed, we know sport comes
first above some of the distractions university life can
bring."
Rowena is also part of Team Coventry and Warwickshire, a project
run by the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012
Games, which aims to nurture the region's aspiring sporting talent
and support them through bursary funding and assisting with finding
and pursuing opportunities to develop their talent.
Mark Moseley, practice director at Band Hatton, said: "We are
delighted to be able to offer our support to one of the region's
leading young athletes and we hope our sponsorship can help Rowena
to realise her dreams.
"She has a superb attitude, coupled with great talent, and she
is a fantastic role model for other young people in the area.
"We have a long-standing association with local sports teams and
athletes and we are pleased to continue this through this latest
sponsorship deal."