When we last caught up with Lucy, she was balancing her studies at Bradford College’s 14–16 Provision with a growing passion for ice skating, and preparing for a major competition.
Now, she’s back with something incredible to show for it: a gold medal at the British Open Inclusive Skating Championships 2026, part of the Special Olympics GB National Competitions, alongside Lucy is has also been recongised as Young Disability Sportswoman in the Young Achievers (Under 18s) category at the Bradford Sports Awards 2026.
A Moment She Didn’t Expect
“I didn’t think I was going to win it at all,” Lucy says. “When they called me up, I was like… what?”
After months of preparation, the moment still came as a surprise.
“It was very nerve-wracking, honestly.”
With limited time to get competition-ready, the pressure was high, but Lucy rose to the challenge.
Behind the Success
Behind every student success story is a strong support network, and for Lucy, that made all the difference.
“Most of it was my mum and people around me like my friends here at college and the team,” she explains. “They gave me a lot of support.”
That encouragement helped her stay focused, manage the nerves, and keep going, even when things felt overwhelming.
What makes Lucy’s achievement even more powerful is where it all started.
“I remember my first ice skating lesson I really hated it. I did not want to do it.”
From those early doubts to becoming a gold medal winner, her journey shows just how far determination can take you.
The Winning Moment
Standing on the podium, everything changed.
“They put the medal on me and I was just like, ‘thank you, thank you,’ waving it around,” she laughed.
But it was the moment after that stayed with her most.
“I cried when I got off the podium and I looked at my mum.”
It’s a memory that captures the emotion, pride and hard work behind the achievement.
Lucy’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Alongside her competition win, she was named Young Disability Sportswoman at the Bradford Sports Awards 2026, a reflection of both her dedication and her impact as a young athlete.
What’s Next for Lucy?
Despite her success in ice skating, Lucy already has her sights set on the future.
“I want to go into marine biology,” she says. “I’m looking at courses and volunteering so I can build experience.”
While she plans to continue skating and competing, she’s clear about her long-term goals and showing the balance many Bradford College students achieve between passion and career ambitions.
Advice for Other Young People
Lucy’s message to others is simple,
“Just don’t give up.”
Her journey is a reminder that success doesn’t always start with confidence, sometimes it starts with pushing through something you’re not sure about.
ESOL students from Bradford College’s Confidence Building course, held weekly at the Al-Mustafa Centre in Bradford and led by tutor Rashid Hasan, recently visited the David Hockney building for an inspiring enrichment experience. The visit gave learners a valuable opportunity. They could develop their language skills, build confidence and practice their English through real conversations […]
Bradford College is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of David Hockney, one of the most influential and celebrated British artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, and a proud alumnus of Bradford School of Art. Born in Bradford, David Hockney began his artistic journey at Bradford School of Art, where his exceptional talent […]
