My Name Christina Oyebanji and I am the Activator for Hackney. I grew up in East London (Newham) which has a big athletics culture, which encouraged my love for the sport. I competed for Newham and Essex Beagles in various events from the tender age of 10, but found my niche in high jump. The pressures of education, however, made it difficult for me to continue in the sport and I made the decision to stop when I started university.

I graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a BSc Honours in Sports Therapy, but decided that Sports Development was the route I wanted to pursue. Working as a Walk, Jog & Cycle Development Officer for Haringey, I felt I needed to develop my knowledge of sports development and decided to take a bold step and move to Wiltshire to embark on my masters at Bath University. I lived in Wiltshire for two years and worked as the Alternative Sports Development Lead for Wiltshire Council developing facilities, clubs, events and competitions for young people in Wiltshire. Whilst working full time I studied for my MA Sports Development and Coach Education part time. I loved the course and it further instilled my love for my career. I am currently working on my dissertation and I am also investigating the coach athlete relationship with the aim to find out if race/ethnicity has a bearing on the coach athlete relationship.

I am really excited to be back in East London and working within one of the Olympic Host Boroughs, although working in Hackney will be challenging as there isn’t an athletics track, I am more than willing to rise to this challenge and create opportunities for the local community. Whilst at Bath I gained my UKA level 2 coaching qualification and whilst doing so I shadowed a UKA Disability coach and learned a lot about inclusive coaching and alternative coaching methods. I wish to promote inclusivity and new opportunities for Hackney residents.

• Christina Oyebanji
T: 07718394759 coyebanji@englandathletics.org Hackney Service Centre 1 Hillman Street, London E8 1FB

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