Promising New Malden cyclist Eva Callinan is hopeful of putting injury woe behind as she bids for a strong career on both track and road.
The 15-year-old has had a disrupted start to 2019 with a common cyclist’s injury, namely a broken collarbone, keeping her off the saddle and on the sidelines.
But with recovery now all but sorted the talented teenager is keen to make up for lost time, looking to add to the quartet of national honours she already has on her palmares.
“The recovery went well, I’m back fit and I’m looking forward to the national races coming up. I am competing in the road national at Redbridge, and various track omniums around the country,” said the Holy Cross School student.
“I am aiming to finish in the top eight in the omniums to qualify for the national final, but the most important thing is that I can perform well after my injury.
“I have won four age-group time trial national titles, two in 2017 and two in 2018, and I would love to win more races.
“I love travelling so my goal is to be competing internationally. I also want to go on more tours and compete in longer races with my team.”
Callinan was speaking at a SportsAid workshop being hosted by the Mayor of London’s office, which is supporting over 75 athletes from in and around the London region, at the London Stadium.
SportsAid helps the most promising young British athletes by providing them with financial support, recognition and personal development opportunities.
The haul of up-and-coming athletes, covering all the London boroughs, from more than 30 sports are receiving £1,000 awards to help with their training and competition costs as they bid to become the country’s next generation of sporting heroes.
The awards, distributed through SportsAid, will see athletes recognise their position as role models to others, and how their stories may help to increase community pride and engagement through inspiring people to take part in sport and physical activity.
SportsAid alumni Anthony Ogogo, Goldie Sayers and Leon Taylor, as well as Commonwealth gold medallist Ama Agbeze, were all on hand at the workshop to provide advice to the athletes.
And Sayers, an Olympic bronze medallist, said: “I was a recipient of the SportsAid award probably 20 years ago now and I kept the letter because it meant so much to me at the time.
“It’s the first recognition that people have seen what you’ve achieved and are supporting you along the way, so for me I like to give back to organisations that helped me in my career.
“The financial support is important but I think more than that, it’s just knowing that an organisation had recognised you as a young athlete with potential to be a senior international.”
The Mayor of London is working with SportsAid to provide financial support and personal development opportunities to talented young athletes from across the capital. Visit https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/sports/sport-unites/sportsaid to find out more.
