In 2016, A+ Magazine spoke to Katie (then aged 13) about her sporting achievements and goals. We’ve caught up with her again four years later now she is in Year 13 and our Sports Prefect.

When we spoke to you in 2016, you were focusing on Worcestershire Cricket and England Rounders; what have your sporting achievements been over the last four years?

Over the last four years I have had the opportunity to play on the Senior Teams for Hockey, Netball and Lacrosse. I started playing for the 2nd XI Hockey Team in Year 9, and in Year 10 was able to captain various games, moving up into the 1st XI Team in Year 11, and in Year 12 captaining more frequently.

In Year 10 I also made my first appearance in the 2nd X Lacrosse Team and in Year 11 I joined the 1st X Team. I played my first netball tournament for the 1st VII Netball Team in Year 9 and was able to become the captain by Year 12.

I have also had the privilege to train and play in the South West U18s Regional England Lacrosse squad and in Year 13 I made the U18s National Wales squad. I am also going into my 9th consecutive year playing for Worcestershire Women’s County Cricket.

What have you learnt over the past four years?

I have learnt to be patient and to work hard for what I want. I had to learn the hard way that if I don’t put the time and effort into something then the outcome that I wished for is most likely not going to happen.

Even though I have been lucky with the opportunities presented to me, I have had to train and perfect my skills. Another thing I have realised is that I shouldn’t be scared to ask for help from the people around me: once I started to ask for help it became easier for me to reach my goals. I also learnt that sometimes a change of pace can be very beneficial.

Over the last four years I have unfortunately had a couple of bad injuries which took large portions of time out of potential training, but looking back on them now I am glad that I experienced them. They gave me a stronger mindset and taught me to look after myself more.

How have your goals changed as you have got older?

In 2016, when asked where she saw herself in 10 years time, Katie said; ‘Playing Cricket and Rounders for England. I'd also love to be playing Lacrosse for Wales as my mum was their manager in the 1990s and it would be brilliant if I could go one step further and actually play for Wales.’

Now she says ‘My goals have definitely changed as I have gotten older: I have realised what my strengths and weakness are and have tried to utilise them and work on anything I need to. When I was younger I always saw myself as a cricketer and I thought that was the sport I was going to represent my country in, but as it turns out I am now representing my country in Lacrosse. However, I am still playing County Cricket. ‘

What are your next steps?

I am currently working towards playing at Home Internationals for the U18s Welsh Team (Lacrosse). After I have finished School, I am hoping to become a police officer and by the end of my career I would love to be a criminal profiler.

I would like to thank all of the people around me, including my family, friends and teachers who have enabled me to be so incredibly lucky with my sporting career so far: if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be playing at the levels I am at. My advice for anyone wanting to play sport at any level is that you need to work for it as it isn’t going to be handed to you, but if you aren’t enjoying it then take a step back and revaluate what you are doing and maybe attack it from another angle.