Thông tin đóng góp cho trường #6

“I always knew that I wanted to go into full-time sport as a career, but my parents are sticklers for ensuring you have a Plan B” Phyllis recalls. “Sport gave me another string to my bow, as my Dad put it – but it was also important for me to have a full education to avoid being dependent on one outcome or one potential future.”

Recounting her journey to Cambridge, Phyllis jokes that applying to study Natural Sciences was a compromise with her parents; one that not only allowed her to continue training as much as she wanted, but also meant that she could avoid studying medicine. “As much as I would have loved medicine, I felt I couldn’t devote the proper time to both. I ended up studying Natural Sciences, which in itself was still a huge commitment, but I knew a degree from Cambridge would set me on a great path, so my parents were happy”, she laughs.

At Phyllis’s London state school, it was usual for one or two students per year to gain places at Oxbridge. “But in my year, there were seven of us! We were a friendship group too, so maybe we banded together because we were “the geeks” – although we all did many mainstream extracurricular activities, sport being mine.” Yet these activities were more than just hobbies for Phyllis; even at this early stage, they were an incredibly important facet of her life.

“My involvement in sport is something I highlighted in my personal statement when applying to Cambridge, because it’s been a huge influence on me. I’ve been involved in organised sport since the age of 5 or 6, and it’s shaped so much of my life – my friendships, my self-confidence, how I present myself, my diligence and time management – all the things that prepare you for academic and working life. Had I not mentioned it, I would have sold myself short and done a disservice to the many people in sport who helped shape me as a human being.”

To keep up with what a lot of people were doing – going out frequently, spending money on this and that without a second thought. My parents did what they could for me, but university is expensive (especially living away from home), so my goal was to work hard during the summer holidays, Easter and Christmas. Luckily, athletics is a very accessible sport and doesn’t require expensive equipment!”

Phyllis was unable to purchase her ‘Blues’ blazer while at Cambridge, and in fact only purchased it two years ago, despite earning it in 2005 through her various sporting achievements including Varsity Matches against Oxford. “My first year Varsity was one to remember!”, Phyllis recalls with a smile. “The women won Varsity Blues, and I don’t think I realised at the time just what a big deal that was. The build up to it was intense. And even after competing in international competitions, you begin to think: Wow, this battle with Oxford really means something – it’s special!”

Phyllis’s ‘Blue’ was richly deserved; in her first year, she participated in 9 events, winning 5 of them, equalling the record of Rebecca Lewis and former Olympian Jon Ridgeon (Magdalene 1986). “In my second year I competed in 10 events and was able to surpass the record with 6 wins, then topped out in my third year with 11 events, winning 7 overall. I believe this still stands as the record!”