Commonwealth Games: Strong family background serves to turn medallist Steph Twell into a potent force in athletics

Published on Friday 15 October 2010 20:33

STEPH Twell describes herself somewhat unflatteringly as "a bit of a mixed bag". After her bronze medal in the 1,500 metres and fourth in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games, a more accurate description might be "a potent combination of influences".

Born in Colchester to an English father and Scots mother, Twell grew up in Northern Ireland, Canterbury and Germany. Her father was and is in the army, and she learned a lot from the military environment.

Just as importantly, her fighting spirit has been encouraged by her mother. Twell's parents are separated now, but both remain crucial influences on her career, even if it took them a while to realise just how committed to running she was.

"They know what it means to you to slog it out each day," said Twell.

"At first, it took a long time for my mum to realise it wasn't just a hobby after school. It was more about the friendships I had built and have for the rest of my life.

"It was maybe a little bit awkward for my family to be supportive, but my mum's blossoming with me now and taking it on board.

"She needed a little bit of convincing to begin with, but she holds her cards close to her chest with how proud she is."

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On the eve of competition in Delhi, Twell received a card from her mother reminding her of that combined national and military heritage. It contained the words to A Scottish Soldier, suitably amended.

"I hadn't really heard it, but she changed the words to it. It goes 'There was a runner, a Scottish runner, who ran miles away from the others'. I think the original song was 'There was a soldier, a Scottish soldier, who wandered far away and soldiered far away'. She changed the words to running.

"It's nice my mum keeps me grounded. When I come back she just says things straight to the point."

The practicalities of army life also helped keep Twell grounded, as well as providing an excellent basis for her athletics career. "Living in Germany was incredible. I'd love to go back.

"That's where I got my sporting characteristics, because on an army base after school every kid would be out playing. You don't see as many kids out playing on the streets nowadays.

"On an army base everyone was out playing rounders, running, and it's where you learn to play fair and the rules of sport. Winning and losing and stuff.

"Every day I was out. My dad always kept himself fit and it introduced me subconsciously to it all."I'd seen dad running in Canterbury, but I really first started in Germany when I was about eight."

Although dedicated to athletics, the 21-year-old has a host of other interests which she sees as necessary relief.

She is currently studying for a masters degree and she also works part-time in addition to training and competition - a heavy enough workload for some, but not one that she finds a burden.

"At the moment I don't want to be full-time. But possibly towards 2012 when I'm only going to be 23 and in 2016 when I might be able to achieve more than 2012 I might look at going full-time.

"But I've just got a post-graduate assistant job when I work two and a half days and complement it with my masters. I don't want to be a bit of a bum. I don't want my athletics to be the only thing that defines me.

"I'm learning a lot and achieving a lot, but at the same time later in life you never know what's going to happen."

It is interesting to note that Eilidh Child, the only other Scot to win a track medal in Delhi, also works part-time - in her case as a PE teacher.

A sample of two may not be big enough to allow firm conclusions to be drawn, but in their case at least it seems that having a different activity from athletics does not so much get in the way of their training as provide a welcome change from it - and complement their work ethic.