Let’s hear from the athletes
From footballers to basketball players, and hockey stars to cricket captains - we have been speaking to them all! Read on to find out if you could follow in their footsteps, or be part of their winning team of professionals.
1. Charlotte Hartley - Hockey, England International
Charlotte has competed for Great Britain in hockey and won medals at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. Charlotte studied Sports Science at Loughborough University achieving a first class degree.
2. S. Claire Taylor - Cricket
[Samantha] Claire Taylor MBE is a former English cricketer and retired member of the England women’s team. Her honours include two World Cups in 2009, including player of the year.
3. Sue Smith - Football, England International
Sue Smith is an English international footballer who plays for Doncaster Rovers Belles and England. She is an experienced left-sided winger or forward.
4. Casey Stoney - Football, England International
Casey Stoney currently plays for Lincoln Ladies. She is a defender and has been capped more than 90 times for the England women’s national football team.
5. Lesley Owusu - Athletics, 200m/400m runner
Lesley Owusu is an experienced international athlete who has represented Great Britain at the European, World and Commonwealth stages.
6. Kate Grey - Swimmer
Kate Grey made her international debut in the 2006 swimming world Championships in Durban, and her Paralympic debut at Beijing 2008.
7. Rachael Mackenzie - Thai Boxing
Rachael first became interested in Thai boxing at university. Rachael has fought and beaten the British, European and World Champions to earn the number 1 spot in the World Rankings.
8. Lee Fawcett - Wheelchair Basketball
Lee is a former Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball player and GB Wheelchair Fencer. He is currently the Head Coach and player for Newcastle Eagles Wheelchair Basketball Team.
9. Serita Shone - Bobsleigh
Serita is part of the Great Britain bobsleigh team with her natural ability to handle speed, G force and mental toughness all contributing to her success.
10. Andrew Sullivan - Basketball
Andrew Sullivan is a British professional basketball player. He plays for Leicester Riders and captains the Great Britain national team.
11. Vernon Samuels - Triple Jump
Vernon Samuels became interested in the triple jump at school and went onto compete in the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.
12. Jake Sheaf - Beach Volleyball
Jake started playing volleyball at the age of 14 for the England Cadets, and now trains full time having recently completed a degree in Sports Performance.
13. Michelle Vidler (formerly Rogers) - Judo
Michelle is a British judo practitioner, who competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 78kg class.
14. Nicola Minichiello - Bobsleigh
Nicola is a British bobsledder who has competed since 2001. She made history with a gold medal in 2009 by becoming the first British female Bobsleigh Driver to win a World Championships.