Kayleigh Brown wins May’s Athletes’ Athlete of the Month

Boccia’s Kayleigh Brown has won the British Elite Athletes Association’s (BEAA) Athletes’ Athlete of the Month award for May.

The 27-year-old came out on top in a vote among Britain’s elite sportspeople after winning two silver medals at the Boccia Challenge Finland tournament – her first competition since returning from maternity leave.

kayleigh and the youngest member of her cheer squad - klay

Following the birth of her son Klay in October, Kayleigh marked her return to competition by reaching the podium in both the individual and team events after a 10-month break from the boccia court.

“I'm really pleased with how I performed in Finland,” she reflected.

“The main goal for me was to get back competing, to enjoy getting back into competition and to learn what it’s like to compete with a baby on the sidelines.

“When I started competing, I quickly realised that the athlete instinct had kicked in and I wanted to play the best I could and go far in the tournament, so although that wasn’t the main focus, I was really pleased to come home with a medal.”

The Athletes’ Athlete of the Month award is presented by the BEAA on behalf of its members - athletes who receive World Class Programme funding from UK Sport.

The award recognises the many ways British athletes inspire the nation, including sporting success and personal milestones such as injury comebacks, awareness raising and charitable efforts.

kayleigh brown

Kayleigh was up against Matt Bush (para-taekwondo), Jess Stretton (para-archery) and Emma Wiggs (para-canoe) for May’s prize and was delighted to be acknowledged by her World Class Programme peers.

“It’s really nice to be recognised by my fellow athletes,” she added.

“I've been involved in a few sports over the years and it's really nice that I've got friends in all different sports and it's nice just to be recognised for what I've achieved in Finland.

“Hopefully, it shows that it is possible to return to competition so soon after giving birth, and if you want to achieve that, then it definitely is possible.”