"I LEARN something every time I go training," said Katy Lamb, who represented her country for the first time this year.

It all started when Katy had a go at the discus in a PE lesson. She threw more than 20m and the sports teacher asked whether she had thought about joining a club. She approached Dartford Harriers with the intention of taking up discus but became fascinated with hammer throwing.

"It's really fun and challenging. No matter how many times you throw it you still get a great buzz," said Katy, who has just finished her GCSEs at Welling Secondary School.

On July 18 she put on an England schools tracksuit for the first time and travelled to Ayr in Scotland for a home countries international. With her throw of 38.37m, she defeated competitors from Scotland and Wales, eventually finishing second to an Irish athlete.

The 15-year-old's performance was even more remarkable considering the match was for U17s and it was the first time women's hammer had been included in an international at that level. Representing England was a dream come true. "On the day it was really nerve-racking but as I got into it I felt more confident," she said.

The following weekend, Katy smashed her previous personal best of 38.37m at a National Junior League meeting, launching the 4kg hammer a colossal 40.59m. The best seniors in the country throw about 60m so her potential is obvious.

Her mum, Denise Beacon is justifiably proud. "Her aims are the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Obviously she won't make it this year but she might make the one after. To me she's done brilliantly already," she said.

Katy trains at Medway Atheltics Club and her coach Guy Callow believes she can reach the top of her sport, provided she puts in the necessary amount of training.

"Throwers tend not to reach their peak until their late twenties. And it tends to take four or five years to get the technique right. It's probably the most difficult athletics event," he said.

Katy should be training three times a week but the trip from Bexleyheath to Medway and back is approximately 56 miles. Competing at this level can be expensive - add equipment and training costs to frequent competition entries and you've amassed quite a bill.

Katy starts A-levels in September and would love to go to Loughborough University and pursue a career in sport. At the same time she intends to step up her training regime next season when she enters the U20 category. She will be spurred on by fellow hammer throwers at Medway, Kirk Capeling and James Hawkins and Callow thinks she could make the 50m mark next year.

"I really want to go far - if I put my mind to it I think I'll be able to," said Katy.

If your firm can help Katy, call the News Shopper on 01689 894805.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.