I started athletics as a junior when I was 15 after I used to swim nationally with Ellie Simmonds and playing Football to academy level. When I was 18 I used to train twice a week for about 2 hours and it wasn’t something I was completely committed to. After consistently training for 3 months I managed to come 4th at my National Championships. It was then I realised I was quite good and should give Decathlon a go. At university I decided to fully commit to athletics and took the sport serious where I would train for 40 hours a week 6 days a week. Such a jump in training load took its toll on my body where it broke down and injuries started happening. In my 2nd year I managed to cope better. I was in a position where I was challenging for international vests. And in the summer of 2015, after doing a grade 2 hamstring tear 8 weeks before my National Championships and hardly training I managed to come 3rd and secure an England Vest. In my first international I came 2nd in the most horrendous conditions. In 2016 I was going from strength to strength, until the same thing happened again, 3 weeks out from challenging for a GB indoor vest I tore my hamstring again. It was a decision to risk competition that I felt was worth the sacrifice, it was paying off as I was winning the competition I was 2 events away from becoming national champion. Then I dislocated my shoulder in pole vault, but I was still selected for the GB team but had to give up my spot as I hadn’t recovered in time. Such a blow and serious injury knocked me and more injuries started happening. But did I give up… NO! I am still training for what I want to achieve. I moved to Liverpool in 2018 and committed my life to athletics. It was a risk that has paid off. I have been back competing after 3 years and have managed to get myself into the best shape of my life and mixing it with some of the top athletes in the country again. I am building for a big year of 2019 where I hope to represent GB twice both indoors and outdoors and pursue my dream f making a Global championships.
Event Testimonial
'The children loved it. Matt gave a really good assembly and fitness circuit.'
Craig from Haslingden Primary School
The event was a success and both the students and the staff enjoyed having Matt with us this morning! Thank you for getting in touch and allowing us the opportunity to host Matt. We would be very open to other athletes coming in or having any other events coming up. - Martin, Southern Cross School Southern Cross School
'The children loved it. Matt gave a really good assembly and fitness circuit.' Craig from Haslingden Primary School
The event was a success and both the students and the staff enjoyed having Matt with us this morning! Thank you for getting in touch and allowing us the opportunity to host Matt. We would be very open to other athletes coming in or having any other events coming up. - Martin, Southern Cross School Southern Cross School
'The children loved it. Matt gave a really good assembly and fitness circuit.' Craig from Haslingden Primary School