Born in Scotland to German footballer Gerhardt Neef, who was playing for Rangers F.C., she became involved in athletics with the City of Glasgow club. Her first international medal came at the 1991 Summer Universiade where she was runner-up with the British women's 4 × 100 metres relay team. She won senior gold medals with the 4 × 400 metres relay team at the 1994 European Cup and 1994 IAAF World Cup, as well as a fourth place at the 1994 European Athletics Championships.