|Size is not everything says Ronnie|
|Around the Academy:
If you are quite short and thinking twice about taking up the sport then I have three words for you.
STOP WORRYING NOW!
Watch my story in video
When I was much younger I remember going to the England Under-15 trials and was told I was too small to make it in basketball.
I wasn't very impressed at the time but now look at me.
I measure just five foot seven inches and have still gone on to be the highest capped England player.
After making my debut against China back in 1988 I have now played 112 times for my country.
If you have a dream about doing something, it's important not to be disheartened if someone tries to put you off.
I knew what my dream was and I didn't let anybody stop me from what I wanted to achieve.
But I'm not the only shorty in basketball. There are loads of small players in the game.
When I go out with my wife and she introduces me to her friends as a basketball player, they all think I'm going to be a six foot seven inch giant.
And then when they see me, it's hard for them to believe.
I proved all my doubters wrong and have gone on to win a bagful of trophies since starting in 1985.
I've got a gold from the Commonwealth Games and a British Championship with the Manchester Giants in 2000.
I cannot stress enough that small guys out there can make it as well as big guys.
We're even a lot smarter as well!
There will always be knock backs in all sorts of sports, but if you work hard then you will usually get something back.
Even if you are small.