Stoneleigh-based pole vaulter Jade Ive’s season is in tatters, but she insists she will bounce back better than ever.

The 17-year-old, who won gold at last year’s Commonwealth Youth Games in India, is set to miss the rest of the season because a severe hip problem that causes her pain when she competes.

Although that means missing the European Junior and World Youth championships, she is refusing to be downbeat. “It looks like I won’t be competing this season and that is frustrating for any athlete,” said Ive, among 15 up-and-coming athletes selected for the UK Athletics Heroes Project, supported by Original Source. “The nature of the pole vault is that I am doing a split with my legs and the left side of my body has developed more than my right side. “That means that my left hip is higher than my right and that is causing a lot of pain in my back when I compete. “I am now working on the other side to make it stronger and, unfortunately, to do that and make sure I can get back to competition, I have to stop pole vaulting as I’m in agony. “My focus will go on to being successful next year – I will be a year stronger and will move up to bigger poles, hopefully.” Ive recently changed coaches from Alan Williams at the Sutton Arena to Egrin Jones at Brunel University, and believes the enforced lay-off could be a blessing in disguise.

“There are so many things we can work on to improve,” added Ive, who hasn’t competed since last August.

“I will work hard while I’m not competing to become a better athlete. I still have three years as an U20 so there is plenty of time for me to achieve what I want.”

* UKA Heroes project sponsored by Original Source is a successful initiative which offers financial support to talented young athletes who are working towards the 2012 and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.