Born in Leicester, Newman was a member of OWLS AC Leicester and later Coventry Godiva Harriers. She won the English Schools intermediate 1500m title in 1987 (4:33.3) and the English Schools senior 1500m title in 1989 (4:17.1), and went on to finish sixth in the 1500m final at the 1989 European Junior Championships in 4:16.51.