Pictured above: Craig Owen of Optimal Performance

Hard work and determination have paid off for sports therapist Craig Owen, who is celebrating the second anniversary of his business.

Despite the recession, the 23 year-old graduate from Cannock, has bucked the trend of high youth unemployment by setting up his own sports therapy business.

With the number of jobless 18 to 24-year-olds standing at 963,000 - its highest since records began in 1992 - Craig has certainly bucked this trend.

Since the business started two years ago, Optimal Performance has treated around 250 people. The company has also provided medical support and sports massage for a number of charity sporting events, including 5 and 10 kilometre runs, the London marathon and charity bike rides.

The business model has proved a success with his customer base growing week-by-week. 

Craig, who has a BSc Honours degree in Sports Therapy from University College Birmingham, said: "It has been a fantastic two years and I am really proud of what I have achieved. The hardest thing was getting people through the doors at the beginning but all my hard work is now paying off."

Craig first became interested in sports therapy as a teenager playing football for Walsall FC. After suffering a series of injuries, he was treated with physiotherapy and realised it was something he was interested in as a career.

Craig went onto study sports therapy, and a year after leaving university received a Princes Trust loan to set up Optimal Performance - Sports Injury Clinic, which is based at Fitness First in Wyrley Brook Park, Cannock.