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At the age of just 16, Caitlin Seaborne has represented Wales on the international stage across two different sports.

Caitlin received her first cap for Boys and Girls clubs of Wales football this month in Falkirk, Scotland, after the tournament was postponed in 2020 due to Covid. She marked the occasion with an assist against Scotland.

Earlier this year, she represented Wales Schools in football, getting another assist in a 1-1 draw against English independent Schools.

As well as success on the field, Caitlin’s athletics career is going from strength-to-strength as she took double gold in hammer and shot across Welsh schools, posting two personal bests in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

It hasn’t been easy for Caitlin however, as her mother and athletics coach, Claire Seaborne, confessed: “The balance has been a struggle. Me and Caitlin agreed that her education had to take priority so training was put on hold while she sat her GCSEs. 

“She didn’t start training for hammer and shot until late May but still managed to take gold in shot at the regionals before taking double gold in Leckwith three weeks ago.”

With Caitlin’s exams behind her, her biggest tests are yet to come, according to Claire, who said: “The football side of things is especially difficult. Unlike the athletics, it isn’t funded so we’ve had to pay for travel back and forth to Swansea twice a week. We’re still looking for sponsors in both football and athletics.

“Caitlin is really enjoying it and I’m proud of her but we’ve got to take care of her body and manage training.

“It’s a tough but exciting journey that we can’t wait to go on. It’s already given her some unique qualifications for someone her age and we’re looking forward to the next step.”

Speaking about her upcoming trips, Caitlin, who attends Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, said: “I’m really excited, training has been difficult but I’m enjoying it.

“My confidence has grown since competing on my own and I’m looking forward to seeing what I can achieve.”

If you are interested in sponsoring Caitlin, you can contact her mother Claire on seaboc@caerphilly.gov.uk.