From the stands to stadium for Jersey heptathlete

Croaky voices, fingers sore from crossing and a rollercoaster of emotions.

That is what parents of Jersey heptathlete Lucy Woodward experienced cheering the 23-year-old on at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, watching her from the stands of the Scotstoun Stadium. They have spoken to the BBC about about what it felt like.

Woodward made history by becoming the first person from Jersey to compete in the sport at the games and set four new personal bests in the competition too.

Her mother Tara Woodward, father Andrew Woodward and step-mother Adele Denton were among her family and friends to support Lucy in the biggest competition an athlete could represent Jersey in.

For Andrew Woodward, watching his daughter at the games was a moving experience after facing serious medical problems before the competition.

He said: "I've had a fairly tough year from a health point of view, so this was our first major trip away... it's just been incredible".

When asked how he kept his emotions in check, he said: "Mainly by crossing my fingers really, really, really hard until it hurts and the skin's gone white."

Denton added: "Lucy is absolutely inspirational. All the hard work that she does is incredible and we love her."

Tara Woodward said it was almost fate that Lucy made her debut in the games in Glasgow.

She said: "We all watched as a family the Commonwealth Games the last time it was in Glasgow [in 2014], and Lucy watched as a spectator and dreamt one day of coming here to to compete."

She added: "It's been a real, real rollercoaster... there's been an awful lot of shouting as well, which is why I think I've lost my voice.

"We have got so many young female athletes that I think could be future heptathletes, but they need to remain open to the fact that being a multi-eventer is such great fun."

Lucy Woodward spoke about how it felt to make history for Jersey in Glasgow in front of her friends and family.

She said: "To be able to do this for them was incredible... if this games has taught me anything, it's that I feel so loved."

The athlete added the celebrations after the heptathlon had finished were special too.

She said: "I actually think that night was probably the best night of my life... I just don't think I stopped smiling the whole night. it was everything that I wanted it to be and more.

"I just hope that young girls, young guys see this and they want to get into athletics and try and achieve a goal like this."

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