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You can’t beat the adrenaline rush of sport! – Athlete Panel member, Tor Bennett-Williams

The summer season whether at local level or at the Olympic Games is the perfect opportunity for athletes across the country to show all of their hard work from the long winter of training. When an athlete achieves a new best, it is often a lot of personal dedication alongside their coaches, parents and support team who helped them to the start line.

For BUCS medallist and Athlete Panel member, Tor Bennett-Williams, his coach Clova Court was instrumental in not only his early athletics career, but in moulding him into the successful adult he is today. We recently caught up to discuss all about his competitive journey through the sport, but also how he balances the dynamic of full-time work with athletics.

Sportshall to discovering the love for sprinting

"I started athletics a long time ago as an under 11. I competed in a local Sportshall competition and some coaches from my first club, Wolverhampton and Bilston, came and spoke to my parents asking them to bring me to the local track. It was only down the road from where I grew up so I was really excited to try it out. A lot of my best friends now are those who I met in athletics and my different clubs have always been a really social and fun environment to in."

Kickstarting his athletics career in Sportshall proved beneficial for Tor, as he had the opportunity to try out many different events before finding his love of sprinting as an under 15.

Supportive coach, mentor and friend

Tor Bennett-Williams competing for BirchfieldHaving a fantastic coach as a young athlete can not only improve your performance, but can provide support and guidance during those key, developmental years. Clova Court (Birchfield Harriers coach) was a fantastic mentor for Tor, and created a magic environment of hard work, fun, and friendship which his group thrived upon.

"During my A-Levels Clova was really supportive. We had a close knit group at Birchfield Harriers and we were all close in age. As a teacher, Clova would always make sure that we were also prioritising our studies as well as our athletics and would help out any way she could.

"She would hire our group a mini bus to take us to regional or national championships and help us book hotels to take off the pressure. She would then encourage us to bring our revision notes and gave us the opportunity to quietly study if we wanted to. She was definitely more like a mentor and a friend than a coach."

Transitioning into a university team

The transition from school to university is already a big step, and to also move training groups can really push you out of your comfort zone. For Tor, this enabled him to thrive and make huge strides in his running career.

Tor Bennett-Williams competing at BUCS"My training environment at the University of Birmingham was fun as we were good friends but competitors too. You were trying to perform well to make BUCS selections whilst also rooting for your teammates. In my second year we got bronze in the 4x400m relay and then in my final year we managed to step it up to gold. After the bronze, our captain set up a WhatsApp group for the team and it really helped us to bond, get to know each other and also give constructive points of improvement. We then had relay camp weekends and put all the pieces together to come away with gold."

Moving on to the next chapter

Although finishing university and entering the world of work may have been the catalyst for Tor to finish his competitive athletics career, he hasn’t lost the love for the sport and is now training with friends and colleagues more casually.

"I have set up an athletics social club through work and we all go down to Northampton Athletics Track and train together. Being in and around sport as a child really gives you the passion for it. It sounds crazy but you just can’t beat the feeling of taking part whether as an athlete or spectator it is an adrenaline rush. I have worked for the Commonwealth Games and now at Mercedes Formula One team and you can’t beat working within sporting environments.

"Away from work, I am also part of the Athlete Panel. Although I am not as closely tucked into the sport as I used to be, it has been my whole life. I still have friends who compete and I want to be able to positively influence athletics and running as much as possible. Over the next two years I am excited to particularly help the grassroots sector."

Photo credit Jonty Mitchell