Meet Violet, a 12-year-old U13 elite ice hockey goalkeeper and a dedicated member of our Aspiring Athlete Programme, which she’s been part of for two years. She’s also a member at Shavington Leisure Centre. What’s clear from the very start is her commitment, drive and the consistently high level she’s performing at.
Violet started playing ice hockey at just seven years old. As her talent quickly became clear, the demands on her fitness grew. That step up became even more real when she was selected for the England programme at the age of nine, where she began to focus seriously on her physical preparation. When she was later accepted onto the Aspiring Athlete Programme, those demands increased again. As a young elite athlete, one of her biggest challenges was finding somewhere that could truly support training at the level she needed.
To meet the demands of elite-level competition, Violet makes full use of facilities across Everybody Health & Leisure. Her training is varied and purposeful:
- Shavington for gym-based strength work
- Nantwich for pool sessions
- The Cumberland Arena for speed and track work
This mix allows her to build the strength, speed and conditioning required for high-level ice and ball hockey. Since joining the Aspiring Athletes programme, her strength and speed have increased massively, helping her stay sharp, focused and fully switched on right to the final whistle, without getting gassed.
For an athlete at Violet’s level and age, finding the right environment to train can be tough. That’s where the Aspiring Athlete Programme has been vital, offering consistent support, space to develop and access to facilities that match her ambitions.
The results speak for themselves. Violet has recently returned from the Czech Lions Cup with the England U13 Girls Ice Hockey Team, where the squad reached the final, narrowly missing out on gold with a 2–1 loss, and proudly bringing home the silver medal. At the closing ceremony, Violet was awarded Goalie of the Tournament, a huge honour on an international stage.
More recently, Violet was in Sheffield with her U14s team for Nationals, where she helped lead the team to an incredible victory and is now a national champion. They made it through to the final, where they beat the previously undefeated southern champions, Slough. This is a huge achievement and another cap and medal to add to her growing collection.
She’s also been asked to permanently train with the Solihull Vixens, the current Women’s Elite League champions, an incredible achievement and opportunity for someone of her age.
This summer, Violet will represent Great Britain at the U16 Girls Ball Hockey World Championships, competing against some of the biggest nations in the world.
Closer to home, her hard work was recognised when she won Everybody Health & Leisure’s Sports Personality of the Year Award last year. This followed another standout moment: representing England in Canada at the Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament, the biggest junior ice hockey tournament in the world.
Violet’s journey is very much still unfolding. With international competitions ahead, elite training environments and a growing list of achievements, her focus now is on continuing to develop her strength, speed and performance as she progresses through the next stages of her sporting career.
For young athletes like Violet, the right support at the right time makes a real difference. Our Aspiring Athlete Programme, alongside access to gym, swim and athletics facilities across our centres, is designed to do just that, supporting ambition while keeping training safe, balanced and enjoyable.
If you’re chasing big sporting goals, or supporting someone who is, we’re here to help. With inclusive centres, expert teams and one membership that gives you access across sites, Everybody Health & Leisure is proud to support every kind of athlete, at every stage of their journey.
Learn more about our Aspiring Atheltes Scheme.