All eyes in the organics sector will be on 26-year-old Zara Dampney as she steps up to represent Great Britain with her partner Shauna Mullin.
Commenting on how it feels toqualifyfor theOlympics, Zara said: It feels great as it is every athletes dream to compete at an Olympics, especially one in your home country. I feel honoured to have the opportunity and it is already shaping up to be a great Games.
Zara started playing indoor volleyball at school and moved on to beach volleyball six years ago. She first played beach volleyball professionally when London was announced as the host city for the 2012 Games.
ECO
Mr Dampney founded ECO Sustainable Solutions, based in Parley, Dorset, in 1993. The company offers a range of services from in-vessel composting to wood recycling.
Growing up Zara said she used to help out her father with the family business completing administration jobs at the weekend. While she is no longer involved in the composting business she said she admires her fathers hard work.
She said: I’m proud that Dad has built the company from nothing, it’s a great achievement that its his business and such a success. When you have something of your own that you have achieved its an amazing feeling.
Zara said she does her bit for recycling by always putting her rubbish in the right bins.
Influence
Zara said her mother and father have been a huge influence in her life which has seen her grown to be very independent both on and off the court.
She said: My parents brought me up to be very independent and I think that helps me in my sport and how I got here. On the court I like to do the job myself which is a real positive, I think that comes from having two brothers as well as I had to fight for what I want.
They also provided discipline which you need to be a professional athlete, but not too much so we have been able to choose our own paths.
Audience
Wishing Zara good luck, Steve Eminton, letsrecycle.com editor, said: Everyone here at letsrecycle would like to wish Zara the best of luck in representing their country in the upcoming Games. As a fellow Sheffield university graduate I know she will make us proud.
Zara said she is aiming to get as many people as possible to the Games to support her including her father.
She may also have a royal audience member in the form of Prince Harry who has confirmed he will be attending some of the beach volleyball matches.
The womens beach volleyball matches begin on July 28 at Londons Horse Guards Parade.
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