SPORTS AWARDS: Des Allen athletic bursary - Rachel Brown

Rachel Brown is ready to pit her skills on the cross-channel stage after winning the Des Allen Athletic Bursary.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Feb 2014, 15:00 BST
Rachel Brown receives the Des Allen Athletic Bursary from Deputy Mayor, Cllr. James McClean. INBT06-225ACRachel Brown receives the Des Allen Athletic Bursary from Deputy Mayor, Cllr. James McClean. INBT06-225AC
Rachel Brown receives the Des Allen Athletic Bursary from Deputy Mayor, Cllr. James McClean. INBT06-225AC

The Ballymena Academy pupil is considering using the £500 prize to compete outside of Ireland.

“I hope to be able to do something that I wouldn’t have been able to do without it - maybe enter a competition across the water,” said Rachel.

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“It’s very hard to get this award and I would like to thank the Allen family for it.”

Rachel excels both in cross-country and on the track but is unsure which discipline of the sport she will go on to concentrate on.

She is currently ranked first in Northern Ireland at under-13 girls’ level in 800 metres, 1500 metres and pentathlon and is ranked 18th overall female (all ages) in 800 metres and 20th overall female at 15000 - the only girl her age to gain a place on the overall rankings.

“I like cross-country but I’m not sure if I like it better than the track. I think I’m more suited to middle-distance than sprinting,” added Rachel.

Related topics:Northern IrelandBallymena Academy