Pictured above: Rowena Cole (back) with (l/r): Philip
Costigan, Jon Wilby and Haydn Jones, from Band Hatton, Norma Pugh,
Rowena's coach, and Dawn Mobbs (Band Hatton)
A talented young Coventry athlete is aiming to repay the faith
of a city law firm by competing in a top European championship next
month.
Rowena Cole, who is sponsored by legal experts Band Hatton, has
climbed into the top 20 of the fastest 800 metres runners in the UK
and is busy concentrating on qualifying for the 2011 European
Athletics Junior Championships in Estonia from July 21-24.
The gifted 19-year-old Coventry Godiva Harrier is confident of
securing the selection time of 2:07:05 at the trials in Bedford on
June 25 and 26 after already passing the finishing line in that
time this season.
For the last two years, Rowena has been sponsored by Band Hatton
and she dropped into their office in Station Square to give
partners an update on her progress.
Rowena, who is studying for a sports marketing degree at
Coventry University, said: "I am very grateful for Band Hatton's
support because I wouldn't be able to train as much as I can and I
would also have to try and find a job to support the costs of
travelling to and entering competitions as well as training
expenses.
"I'm taking each year step by step so this season my aim is to
be successful in the trials and go to the European Juniors and see
what happens because I'm still quite young for my age group.
"I have run a couple of races this year in the 800m at the
Loughborough International and in the Warwickshire Championships
and everything has been really great so far.
"If I'm not racing then I train eight times a week at the
University of Warwick track at Westwood Heath and the Coventry
Godiva gym for strengthening and conditioning work.
"I am enjoying my training after suffering an ankle injury for
most of last season but now I am fully recovered and looking
forward to a busy few months on the track.
"Competing in the European Juniors in Tallinn in Estonia would
be a great experience of running against top athletes from all over
Europe."
Mark Moseley, practice director at Band Hatton, said the company
was pleased to be able to financially support one of the city's
most promising young athletes.
"This is the first time we have sponsored an individual athlete
and the agreement is working really well," he said.
"It was great to hear a first-hand account from Rowena about her
progress and we will be checking to find out if she is chosen by
the selectors for the European Junior Championships when their
announcement is made on July 4."