“It’s fair enough that the Tigers or the City are ahead of us in the news, but when you have to search beyond a local amateur side it’s pretty insulting.”

Kerry Williams is not your average sportswoman. Educated at Loughborough University in Sports and Exercise Science, the athletic Leicester Ladies and Great Britain forward narrowly missed out on a place at the Olympics, but she wasn’t always the model professional.

“At the age of sixteen all I ate was McDonald’s and I had to make a drastic change to my diet. I’m much healthier now, but back then I was eating two McDonald’s meals a day, which was crazy.”

Indeed. And it might have been oh so different for the twinkle-toed Williams.

“I auditioned for the Royal Ballet School, but soon realised that it wasn’t quite right for me. I think that was down to the team ethic in hockey, which greatly appealed to me.”

So how did she decide to pursue a career with the stick over Swan Lake?

“I was always sporty when I was young. At the age of ten, my friend Danielle and I went along to a local club and there was a great family atmosphere there which hooked me. My passion for other sports was strong and because of that I had a cheap hockey stick for three years, until my dad realised that I was serious!”

It is the atmosphere and environment which really stands out as key reasons for Williams’ love of hockey.

“The social side of the game is fantastic and the diversity of the participants is quite surprising. Other sports tend to attract similar minded people, but hockey is completely different.”

But it’s not all fun and games for the 22-year-old, who has had a difficult year to contend with.

“It has been intense as we’ve been preparing for the Olympics. We’ve had three weight sessions a week and have covered strength, speed, endurance and power, which was a killer! We had to tolerate that alongside four pitch sessions a week, so it’s been very demanding.”

All that hard work has seen Williams become an integral part of the Leicester Ladies side that has been so dominant in the game in recent years.

“We’re the Manchester United of women’s hockey, but we didn’t win the league this year due to international call-up disruptions. Providing we finish in the top two of our league this season, then we’ll qualify for the Euro league, which will see us gain much needed television exposure.”

It’s that exposure, or lack of it, that frustrates Williams, spurring her on to achieve more on a personal note, but also for the sport which has helped to make her.

“It is frustrating that male sports dominate, but that is society and all you can do is try your best and continue to champion the sport to as many people as possible.”

She has already used her persuasive powers to win over one male, who is her biggest fan.

“My dad used to hate hockey, but as I became better he started to appreciate it and realised that it’s just like football.”

Despite a relatively disappointing Olympic campaign for the GB women’s team, Kerry has her sights set on London 2012.

“It’s been difficult watching them as I’m not involved, but I’m desperate for us to win. The disappointment will be there to spur me on to 2012 when I intend to be there as a key part of the team.”

In the meantime, that focus will be put on hold to help Leicester’s march to the top but it’s not just her team that she cares about.

“I’m very proud and passionate about Leicester. I remember when I was around fifteen they took away St. Margaret’s swimming baths and I was gutted. Saffron Lane, where I trained, was also allowed to deteriorate, but the regeneration at the moment and the Special Olympics will make a difference.”

Away from the game, what keeps Kerry occupied?

“I’m quite a socialite and love to spend time with my friends, family and boyfriend. I love shopping, music festivals and really enjoy watching other sports. This year I went along to watch the Twenty20 cup and last year I went to the Rugby World Cup.”

But perhaps most notably, she works as an Athlete Mentor for the Youth Sport Trust as part of a team of sports stars who visit schools across the UK to re-engage young people in school life, for Sky Living for Sport on Sky TV.

“By the third visit we tend to have made a difference as they look up to me. It’s funny, as all of my workmates are gold medallists, but I feel as if I’ve done nothing compared to them.”

Despite her modesty and Olympic woe, ‘Kerreh’ is sure to be one of Leicester’s golden girls, for years to come.

For more information on Leicester Ladies Hockey Club visit www.leicesterhc.co.uk and for Kerry’s sponsor see www.grays-hockey.co.uk