Leroy Cain came to Track Academy at the age of 16 having travelled from his home in Jamaica to settle in the UK. 

He took to our athletics programme very well in the sprinting events but it soon became apparent that he needed some guidance with regards to post-16 options.

After attending an education workshop at Track Academy in a partnership with Stanmore College, he decided to enrol there and benefitted from the Track Academy and Stanmore College Scholarship Fund. The London Sports Trust gave him a grant to support him with his athletic goals, and over the years he began to flourish.

After attending an education workshop at Track Academy in a partnership with Stanmore College, he decided to enrol there and benefitted from the Track Academy and Stanmore College Scholarship Fund. The London Sports Trust gave him a grant to support him with his athletic goals, and through mentoring, study support and the athletics training programme with Track Academy, he began to flourish.

He enrolled into college full-time then moved onto applying to university alongside intense training. He engaged with all areas of Track Academy including mentoring and education support in an effort to achieve qualifications in maths and English Language, as well as finishing his post 16 studies before being accepted to study sports science at the University of East London.

Leroy is now a Track Academy Alumni Athlete who still meets with his coach and mentor as he navigates a professional career in sport. He is an example to our younger student athletes and has come back to peer mentor, support our internal competitions and take part in workshops.

Leroy was 2017’s U23 National Champion and now competes internationally, representing the UK thanks to a successful Home Office application which was supported by Track Academy and boosted by the commitment he has shown as a young student athlete.

Q&A

Q. When did you start at Track Academy?
A. In 2013 when I was 17.

Q. Why did you join Track Academy?
A. Because I wanted to stay out a bit later after college.

Q. What has been your biggest challenge in athletics and how has Track Academy helped to manage this?
A. For me, communicating. I am from an environment where everyone shouts at everyone and Track Academy helped me with improving the way I talk to others.

Q. What is your biggest accomplishment in athletics? How did your coach support you?
A. Winning Nationals. My coach was there motivating me so that I could win my race.

Q. What is your biggest challenge in education? How has Track Academy supported this?
A. Passing maths and English. I had to go to Saturday tuition sessions before I could start training.

Q. What’s is your biggest accomplishment in education? How has Track Academy supported this?
A. Passing my first year of university. I got support from Track Academy with my essay writing and grammar.

Q. What opportunities have you experienced via Track Academy?
A. Helping me fix my CV, also interview workshops and mentoring. Track Academy helped me secure a Jack Petchey Award.

Q. How important is your relationship with Track Academy staff and athletes?
A. Really important. I feel at home when am at training.

Q. What experience from Track Academy can you take with you?
A. That sometimes even when you feel you are right you have to admit that you’re wrong and move on

Q. What advice do you have for young student athletes who want to join Track Academy?
A. Listen to your coaches.

Q. What is your plan for your future?
A. My main aim is to finish uni then go to the Olympics.