SHE may have to overcome some sizeable hurdles in the shape of Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jessica Ennis-Hill, but Rainford heptathlete Danielle McGifford is determined to make her mark in 2015.

After claiming under-20 heptathlon gold at the English Combined Events Championships in May last year, McGifford has only competed in two events so far in 2015.

But while she has been biding her time domestic rival Johnson-Thompson has been very busy, breaking the British high-jump and long-jump record before coming narrowly close to breaking the pentathlon world record as she claimed gold at the European Indoor Championships in Prague.

Add to the fact that Olympic champion Ennis-Hill is set to make her long awaited comeback and the picture looks far from rosy for McGifford.

But rather than sit back and bemoan the crowded domestic scene, McGifford insists her rivals can inspire her on to bigger and better things.

“I watched the European Indoors and felt so bad for Katarina because she’d come so close to the world record,” she said.

“When you see some European athletes putting themselves out there it’s great but these people live around the corner from me and it makes me think if they can do it why can’t I?

“It motivates me more because it’s such a dominant sport in athletics and you’re going to have to be at the top of your game to get into the GB squad let alone win medals at major championships.

“I’m hoping to slide in there with those big names. I think because it would be such an achievement to be in a top three for major championship.”

McGifford’s talents have certainly not gone unnoticed as she was reselected on the SSE Next Generation programme.

The programme supports 100 young athletes across the UK and Ireland who have been identified as potential Commonwealth and Olympic medallists of the future.

Along with financial funding, the SSE scheme provides workshops and events with the likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Darren Campbell and Judy Murray.

SSE’s Next Generation partners with SportsAid to provide financial support and training to the sports stars of the future.

Keep up to date with the latest on Twitter using @SSENextGen.