Raveena’s on the ball with her future

Cricketer and netballer, Raveena Patel hopes to pursue a career in sports massage and therapy while taking her love of cricket as far as possible.  The sport and exercise science student at Sutton Coldfield College plays for BMet’s cricket team and Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s women’s team. 

“I’m committed to playing cricket at the highest level for as long as I can,” said Raveena.  “At school, I was also into football, judo, rugby, rounders, badminton and athletics.  I was enjoying cricket more and more, so it grew to be my main sport.  I have a great coach and agent with Warwickshire County and my coaches at college have given me lots of advice.

“This has also given me more confidence in how I play and how well I do at the college.  I think it’s important to have people around you that believe in you and say ‘you can do it’.  It helps you to think positively, perform well and get results.”

Raveena’s course includes modules on fitness testing, sports performance and nutrition.  She is also required to complete 30 hours of work experience in a sporting capacity.  She has gone over and above this, by volunteering as an event coordinator at the Birmingham Schools Winter Games and during the local Panathlon Challenge tournament for students with disabilities.

“I’d like to study sports therapy at university so I’m keen to learn as much as possible about physiology and anatomy,” she continued.  “I find college a great environment to study in.  You get more freedom with how you learn and this prepares you for university.

“I love my college’s facilities.  It’s good to have a big library you can stay behind late and work in when you need to.  And there’s a really good gym where I can do cardio and leg workouts which are a massive help to me as a cricketer.”

Raveena added: “The other great thing about my sports course is the other students.  There’s a good mix of male and female students and the females are involved in all kind of sports such as athletics, badminton, golf and basketball.  We encourage each other because we understand what it’s like to manage your assignments, your training, being in competitions and coaching or volunteering.

“This is a great time to be involved in sport.  There are so many role models out there and I want to inspire others too.”

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