Born in Barbados, she moved to England with her family at a young age. She would later apply to represent the country of her birth for the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, but decided to compete for Britain after she failed to receive a response. She proved herself as a young sprinter for Britain, winning at the English Schools' Athletics Championships over 100 m in 1970 and over 200 metres in 1971. She was the 100 m winner at the 1970 British Schools International Match. Her first major medal came at the 1970 European Athletics Junior Championships, being 100 m silver medallist behind Poland's Helena Kerner.