Ok, so don’t judge the hair, but this is me sat next to my oldest friend, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Becki Turner. We lived next door to each other growing up, went to the same schools and were in the same form. We even sat next to each other. Towards the end of secondary school, she starting jetting off around the world for various swimming training camps and competitions. Although the wonderful locations around the world sounded lovely, the twice daily training sessions, especially the early morning mid-Winter ones definitely show the amazing dedication Becki has shown to her sport.

Becki has not only shown a fantastic commitment to swimming but also a great skill. Representing  Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Team England in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, as well as many other competitions.  Where possible we have always, asa group of friends, tried to go along and offer our support and I have been fortunate enough to go to both the Olympics and Commonwealth Games and watch her compete. The most recent competition, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games was amazing, the atmosphere and the crowd were electric, the city was beautiful and so welcoming, but what made it into the most perfect visit was watching Becki compete and win her medal. Overall she has gained a Commonwealth Silver and Bronze from this competition for the 4 x 100m freestyle relay and 4 x 200m Freestyle relay respectively.  

Afterwatching the effort, commitment, sacrifices needed to succeed and compete in sport, I am awed by sports people and their achievements. I am so unbelievably proud of Becki and everything she has achieved, she has dedicated everything to swimming and still succeeds in other pursuits, currently working towards her degree. She works amazingly hard and is a truly wonderful, friendly, lovely person, I feel so lucky to know her and be her friend and I look forward to continue to watch her compete around the world. 

Charlotte Scothern 

JCi Rotherham Deputy President 2014