We are delighted that Shelayna has joined our BRIT Ambassador family.
Shelayna is a multiple 800m British indoor and outdoor champion and has represented Great Britain on numerous occasions at the European, World and Commonwealth Championships and the 2016 Olympic Games. Shelayna is also two time European medallist (Gold and Silver) and World Bronze Medallist. She has also won seven National titles.
“Having been a student, and a coach for young athletes, I know that a vast number of young adults are living with mental health challenges. COVID-19 is affecting us all, however it is also having a damaging impact on young adults and students who are struggling with existing mental health challenges. The BRIT Vision resonates with me both personally and professionally; I am delighted to be joining the BRIT Ambassador family to help support and improve young adult mental health and fitness throughout the UK.
With so many charities struggling to fundraise during the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted that BRIT has partnered with PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide, Nightline Association, Student Minds and the Charlie Waller Trust. This means that all donations raised by the BRIT 2021 Challenge will be shared equally between five mental health charities who support students and young adults.
It is great to see that BRIT have designed their BRIT 2021 Challenge to be inclusive so that students and staff of all abilities can take part in many different ways; by hand-cycling, cycling, wheelchair pushing, swimming, walking, jogging, running, rowing or paddling (canoeing, kayaking or paddle-boarding).
It would be fantastic if every UK university, college and students’ union embraces the BRIT 2021 Challenge, enters teams and unites to support mental health and fitness throughout the UK; this would undoubtedly ensure more students will take part; at home or on campus.
I look forward to encouraging students and staff at Brunel University London to take on the BRIT 2021 Challenge and supporting them as they complete their 2,021 miles. I also urge my fellow current and retired Olympians, Paralympians and sports personalities to join our BRIT Ambassador family so that we can inspire, encourage and thank students and staff at universities and colleges across the UK who are taking on the BRIT Challenge.”
Shelayna was educated at Bayliss Court School and a member of Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow Athletics Club. Shelayna also used to play hockey at County level.
In 2008, Shelayna represented England at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India where she came 5th in the 400 metres.
Between 2008 and 2011, Shelayna completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Brunel University London.
Her first national title was at the 2008 England U20 Championships where she won gold in the 400 metres.
Shelayna won gold and in the 400 metres at the 2009 England U20 Indoor Championships and silver at the 2009 England U20 Championships.
In 2010, Shelayna won bronze in the 400 metres at the England U23 Championships and in 2011, won silver at the England Championships and bronze at the England U23 Championships.
Shelayna focussed on the 800 metres from 2013, and won bronze at the British Championships that year.
In 2014 and 2015, Shelayna won silver in the 800 metres at both the British Championships and the British Indoor Championships.
Shelayna represented Great Britain in the 800 metres at the 2015 European Indoor Championships and then at the World Championships in Beijing, China where she came 5th.
In 2016, Shelayna reached the semi-final of the 800 metres at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Shelayna won gold in the 800 metres at the 2016 and 2017 British Championships, and also won gold in the 2017 British Indoor Championships.
In 2017, Shelayna represented Great Britain at the World Championships in London and also at the European Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia where she won silver in the 800 metres.
In 2018, Shelayna won gold in the 800 metres at the IAAF World Indoor Championships.
Shelayna won silver in the 800 metres at the 2018 British Championships and gold at the British Indoor Championships. In 2019, she won gold in the 800 metres at both the British Championships and the British Indoor Championships.
In 2019, Shelayna won gold in the 800 metres at the European Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
Shelayna has won seven National titles; six senior and one U20. She has placed in the top two in her last nine National Championships and has run below two minutes for the 800 metres eight times.