A British jiu jitsu champion, junior Team GB sprinter and, more recently, a rising rugby star, the 17-year-old's sporting CV is all the more remarkable considering she was born profoundly deaf.

Last week Ounsley was named the Young Deaf Sports Personality of the Year by public vote after an astonishing year of achievements.

In the last 12 months the teenager from Yorkshire has scored in the County Championship final at Twickenham Stadium, played for England U18 against Wales at the Principality Stadium, signed for Tyrrells Premier 15s side Loughborough Lightning and won the World Deaf Rugby Sevens in Sydney.

"It has been amazing," recalls Ounsley, whose father Phil spotted her extraordinary ability from a young age.

"I remember when she was three and I was training for the World Coal Carrying Championship in Yorkshire," says Phil.

"The event involves running for a mile with a 50 kilogram bag of coal on your back from the pub to the village green.

"She had seen me running around preparing and so one day in the kitchen she picked up a sack of carrots and set off running around the dining room table.

"She just kept going and going, it was then that I realised how determined she was and she hasn't changed since."

"Rugby has given me a set of friends for life."

Ounsley began playing rugby at the age of 15 for Sandal RUFC and has ambitions to play at the highest level.

"My rugby goals are to represent Team GB at an Olympic Games in sevens and to play in a World Cup with the Red Roses. Everything I do now is aimed at achieving my goals."

Ounsley is so committed to these goals that she has left home to live and train full-time in Loughborough while continuing to represent England Deaf.

"Playing for England Deaf has been such a positive experience for me, I feel completely at home and relaxed with the squad.

"I suppose we are all in the same boat with hearing loss. I don't feel I have to explain anything to them, they just know about communication difficulties.

"The coaches have made me feel so welcome and I love playing as part of a team with great girls. This sport has definitely helped me with my confidence as I'm very shy - rugby has given me a set of friends for life."

Boots over heels
Her award win in Manchester last week was the latest achievement in Ounsley's remarkable rise, but she is taking it all in her stride.

"All the finalists were really successful people in their own sporting fields. I was happy just to be a finalist. When my name was read out my first thought was, 'I hope I don't trip up in these high heels!' I'm more used to rugby boots and trainers."

While for many Jodie's achievements are particularly special considering the boundaries she has overcome, she doesn't see it that way.

"I don't really consider myself disabled. I've never known any different so I just get on with it. I've been very competitive all my life, what ever I'm doing. I don't think that will change."

From charging around the kitchen with carrots on her back to sprinting through defences, it looks like there is no stopping Jodie Ounsley.