Name: Kelsey Le Maistre
Age: 21
Sport: Table Tennis

Q1) What got you into the sport you are competing in at the Commonwealth Games?
I used to play table tennis (ping pong) on holiday in France with my family. In year six a taster session was put on for our class and from that I started going more regularly with my sister and I fell in love with the sport.

Q2) What’s your main motivation for being an athlete?
I have a real passion for being active and enjoy taking part in different sports.

Q3) What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?
Keeping fit and healthy.

Q4) What’s the best sporting advice you’ve been given?
Hard work pays off in the long run.

Q5) What have been your major highlights/achievements in your sport?
Competing at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and winning the Women’s British League with my teammates.

Q6) Who has been most influential to you in your sport development and why?
The previous table tennis development officer, Craig Gascoyne. He coached me for most of my career and gave me lots of advice to help me progress my game in the future. Also, Plymouth Table Tennis Club made me feel very welcome when I trained with them.

Q7) How is the Acorn Performance Pathway supporting you in your development?
The Pathway is supporting me by enabling me to buy new equipment and travel to competitions.

Q8) Who is your sporting hero?
Jessica Ennis-Hill.

Q9) What international sporting moment really stands out for you and why? E.g. Britain winning gold in…; Mo Farah; Lewis Hamilton winning F1 title?
Super Saturday at London 2012 – the way the team came together and performed was inspiring.

Q10) What’s the most important element of your preparation? (E.g. nutrition, sleep, other…)
Mindfulness is the most important aspect of my preparation as I perform better when I have control of my cognitive emotions.