Welsh thrower Moule prepared for successful season after pep talk from Olympic champion Yarnold

The 20-year-old from Neath joined the former Winter Olympian alongside four other rising sporting stars on a special Zoom mentoring session. 

The in-depth hour-long session was set up by Entain and SportsAid – who financially support Moule’s athletics career – with Yarnold’s experience as Britain’s most decorated Winter Olympian forming a golden opportunity for the up-and-coming sportswoman. 

All five athletes were given the chance to ask a range of questions covering topics such as mental health, preparation and training, and Moule was fascinated by the amount of advice Yarnold had to offer. 

She said: “It was really interesting, especially because you think skeleton is so different from athletics. 

“It was comforting to know that the fundamentals of being an international athlete are the same for everyone such as the highs and lows. 

“From hearing Lizzy’s story, I’ve realised the importance of staying composed and taking the positives.” 

Moule also had high praise for Yarnold’s persistence as the Olympian won gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics despite experiencing breathing problems as a result of a chest infection just a week prior.  

“Lizzy’s performance in 2018 was so inspiring to me,” Moule added, “She showed that even when everything was against you, anything is possible, and to pull out a performance like that is amazing.” 

Fuelled by Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid’s partnership, Moule has been able to access funding for training, travel and equipment – something that has proved vital after the struggles of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Moule won a bronze medal at the 2020 British Athletics Championships, with her 51.27m throw breaking the under-20 Welsh record

Despite that, the Cardiff University student has been able to emulate a similar determination to Yarnold by winning a bronze medal at the 2020 British Athletics Championships, with her 51.27m throw breaking the under-20 Welsh record. 

Moule said: “Restrictions in Wales were tighter than England so some facilities like the gyms weren’t open – it was just a case of trying to do all I could to stay in shape. 

“But SportsAid have been so useful to me, and helped me so much. It’s quite difficult to juggle my degree in pharmacy with training, so to have that extra bit of support has been vital for me. 

“I really want to go on and break senior Welsh record, and also the British record in the future. I’d love to go to the Commonwealth Games later this year and represent Wales – that would be amazing – but the Olympics is the ultimate goal.” 

Moule revelled in absorbing Yarnold’s eminent insight, who soared to skeleton Olympic glory at Sochi and PyeongChang

Moule was joined on the Zoom mentoring session by fellow aspiring athletes Charlie Dobson, Caitlin Burgess, Taia Tunstall and Will Bell, who are also supported by Entain and SportsAid’s innovative partnership. 

And Moule revelled in absorbing Yarnold’s eminent insight, who soared to skeleton Olympic glory at Sochi and PyeongChang, and Yarnold said: “It was lovely to be in that virtual space together with the young athletes. Listening to all their accolades and when they are in their career so young was brilliant. 

“The lessons I learnt in sport and athletics helped me in knowing this mad sport, skeleton, and being a young athlete is really overwhelming – which I learnt when I started skeleton at 18. 

“Hopefully it gave them a bit of an idea of the mentality and physicality of it all.  

“My main bit of advice was that consistency is key - motivation is awesome, but consistency and turning up will keep you going when motivation is low.” 

Entain, owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.