Bradford hammer thrower Jess Mayho grabbed bronze at the Aviva English Schools’ Track & Field Championship but maintains her learning experience at the Gateshead International Stadium is the far more valuable prize.

After fouling on her first attempt, 18-year-old Mayho – who went to Bingley Grammar School – produced a throw of 48.52 metres to book her place on the podium.

And with the event taking place live on Sky Sports and in front of a packed crowd, Bingley Harrier Mayho, who lives in Cullingworth, was delighted with her performance on the big stage.

She said: “I honestly was not expecting it at all. When the man was announcing the positions and said my name I thought there was another Jess.

“I didn’t throw as well I could have done but I dealt with the pressure. I don’t generally do big competitions and because I had a foul on my first throw, I needed a big second, which I did.

“It has really helped me learn how to deal with the pressure and the competition aspect so I am very happy with it in that respect. This is a real bonus.

“I just want to go as far as I possibly can and to keep working hard. If I work hard and try my best, that’s all I can do.”

The championships have previously helped launch the careers of Mark Lewis-Francis, Perri Shakes-Drayton and Olympic bronze medallist Katharine Merry, who overtook Paula Radcliffe in a sprint relay in the competition in 1990.

And Merry is adamant that Mayho will have benefitted enormously from the experience of scooping a medal in front of a packed crowd at the Gateshead International Stadium.

She said: “It is huge for them. For these kids this is the be all and end all, and if they can perform to the best of their ability in front of a big crowd and live television that is a big confidence booster.

“I remember thinking after I won a medal that I am the best school child in England and that really rubber-stamps their potential.

“You can’t put a price on the confidence that brings. When you look down the list of past record holders, you can see that this competition does produce world champions and you just don’t know how many of this group will go onto make a name for themselves.”

* The Aviva English Schools' Track & Field Championships is part of the Aviva Athletics Academy which encourages and enables children to get involved in athletics.

For more information go to aviva.co.uk/athletics.

CALLUM LEAHY