GSSE squad – a twin hope

It is fairly easy to determine that this is a year where the Games for the Small States of Europe will be played out. Simply talk to a prospective athlete of their aims for the coming months and, inevitably, Liechtenstein 2011 will enter the conversation. So, it is with Martina and Francesca Xuereb. Paul Grech has more...

Despite being in their teens, 400m specialists Martina and Francesca Xuereb have been a beautiful reality of Maltese athletics for a number of years now having already competed – and won medals – in the past three GSSEs.

Yet, for them the prospect of representing their country in the premier sporting event of the year is still as fascinating as it is for a novice.

Ask them what they would like to achieve and making the squad for the Games ranks high up their list.

Just as important for them, however, is seeing an improvement in performances. This, too, is a pretty standard ambition, yet for these twins it has added significance because they are better placed than most to achieve it.

That is largely down to the environment they are in.

Six months ago they enrolled at the Middlesex University to sit for a BSc in Sports and Exercise Science, a move that also allowed them to train at the Lee Valley Athletics Stadium next to the campus.

“We have known Mike McFarlane, our coach, for quite some time now and during one of his visits here we started talking about Lee Valley, opportunities in the UK and so on,” says Martina, explaining what brought about the move.

“We always knew that we wanted to further our studies in sport and up to that point in time it had always been PE teaching.

“Yet, we did some research and found out about Sports and Exercise Science in the UK. We knew our parents would support us and do everything they can to help us so we decided to take the opportunity.”

It is a move that holds obvious benefits.

“Having Mike around is very positive,” Francesca explains.

“He can pinpoint weaknesses and make changes there and then whilst I can give feedback.

“The facility is just amazing. At times, when I’m just dead tired, I look around and say to myself ‘come on you have all that you ever wanted; don’t waste this opportunity: move on’. It’s funny, really, but sometimes it feels like the place itself gives me energy... let’s just hope that it does not wear out.”

Martina echoes those views.

“Although we both know that the MAAA is doing everything it can to offer athletes the best possible environment to conduct their training, the major difference from Malta would probably be facilities.

“Lee Valley has an indoor and outdoor track together with a well-equipped gym and all the equipment an athlete might need.”

The track’s merits are evidenced by the presence of world class athletes like Dwain Chambers, Andy Turner, Marilyn Okoro and Christine Ohuruogu who all have Lee Valley as their base.

“Who would have thought that I would be saying ‘good morning’ to them all?” Francesca adds.

That they can name Jodie Williams, the highly-promising British sprinter who was world youth and junior champion in 2009 and 2010 respectively, as part of their training group is another boost to their development as they can now see the levels that they have to strive to achieve.

“Having training partners definitely helps,” Francesca admits.

“We can cheer each other on through the session, and if there’s something someone is better at we just help each other out. I do believe that competing here will be different in a positive way; being able to run a 400m against another seven runners, not just two or three, is great.”

As yet the two haven’t fully determined their commitments for the year.

“We are planning to run most of the outdoor season here but will be taking part in the Malta International next April and the National Championships in May whilst also joining in for the National Team training camps,” Martina reveals.

“We might also run a couple of indoor races this winter but if we do so it’s only just to assess our progress.”

“The past 12 months have not been bad although not as good as I’ve wanted them to be. Results were nothing out of the ordinary, and having strained my hamstring for the second time did not help much,” she continues.

“I was very happy with our team’s performances in the relay races especially that of the 4x400m in the European Team Championships held in Malta last June.”

It is at this point that the GSSE come up.

“My targets are to achieve some personal bests and to be able to qualify for Liechtenstein, the European Team Championships and the European U-23s and to learn as much as possible from this experience,” she says.

No surprise, Francesca’s ambitions are practically ‘identical’.

“I’ll definitely do my best to be part of the GSSE team and the European Team Championships, whilst also try to qualify for the European U-23s. With that said one of my targets is to lower my timing over the 400m.”

The Xuerebs biggest success, however, could be away from an athletics track.

By seeking out this opportunity, not to mention by settling in with as much ease as they apparently have, they are living proof to current as well as future athletes of what can be achieved if you are determined enough and not willing to limit your ambitions.