Commonwealth Games 2018: Bridgnorth athlete Beth Partridge ready to jump to challenge

Beth Partridge, from Bridgnorth, is among 75 athletes who will be flying out to the Gold Coast in April in hope of bringing a medal back to Britain.

The 27-year-old started the sport when more than a decade ago and was crowned the Indoor British Champion 2017 this year.

Now, after a difficult outdoor season after suffering an injury in her heel, she is fully fit and raring to go – hoping to return home to Shropshire with a medal.

She will be part of Team England, with the likes of Adam Gemili, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Greg Rutherford also making the cut.

It's the second Commonwealth Games for Beth, who was set to compete in Glasgow in 2014 but struggled to fulfil her potential due to injury.

But this time around, she says she's learned a lot more over the past three years and is ready to take on the competition in 2018.

"As you get older you learn a lot more and know what works for you, she said. "I'm even more ready for the games than I was before.

"I can't wait – the Gold Coast will be nice. I love Australia and have family out there so it will be really good to go and compete out there.

"My aim is to try and get a medal. My personal best in my last few games would have got me in the top four and a medal at some outdoor events and I know I can jump higher.

"This year has been really exciting for me but even more disappointing at times – so getting into the team for the Commonwealth Games has been really good news for me at the end of a difficult year.

"I was close to making the World Championships in London which is very frustrating and I was supposed to be going to the European Indoors but I didn't manage to get the British standard."

Beth got into athletics when she encouraged to take part in cross country while at Morville Primary School – she joined Bridgnorth Athletics Club before moving to Telford Athletic Club.

Now, she is a member of Birmingham-based Birchfield Harriers and trains full-time – twice a day – five times a week.

When she's not training, Beth works twice a week on the days she's off as a PA in Solihull.

The former Oldbury Wells pupil returns to Bridgnorth to see her family whenever she can.

Beth added: "I think in Glasgow there was about 130 athletes and this time it's 75. It's a good team as well and I'm looking forward to being a part of it.

"There's an indoor season which starts in January, February and March. I'll just be competing a few times in February ahead of the games."