Amy Morris, Miss Norfolk 2026, missed the Miss England sports title in Leicester but goes on to the final at the Athena on 17 November. How the round went.

Amy Morris, Miss Norfolk 2026, swapped the microphone for trainers on Sunday 4 October as she joined Miss and Mr England contestants in Leicester for the Miss England sports round. She did not take the sports title, but her road to the crown is far from over: she represents Norfolk at the Miss England final on 17 November at the Athena in Leicester.

The sports round is one of the competition’s fast-track rounds: the winner secures a place in the Top 12. It went to a contestant named Abbey. Amy says the thing she took away from the day had nothing to do with winning.

“I think I arrived expecting competition mode, but within no time everyone was chatting, laughing and cheering each other on,” she said. “I genuinely feel like I’ve already made friends for life, although I’m not sure my muscles feel quite as positive about the experience!”

Contestants in red Miss England T-shirts holding side planks on an indoor artificial pitch, with a trainer in grey alongside them
Contestants hold side planks during the Miss England sports round in Leicester. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

“When your body is saying ‘absolutely not’”

The contestants were put through the day by Leicester trainers Mel Thomas and Rob Hughes, starting with a warm-up that Amy says seemed to cover every muscle they owned, before being pushed physically and mentally for the rest of the session.

Finishing first, or finishing every exercise, was not the test.

“They told us it wasn’t necessarily about completing the workout,” Amy said. “They wanted to see perseverance, stamina, grit and what you did mentally when things became difficult. Basically, when your body is saying ‘absolutely not’, what does your brain do next?”

Nobody backed down, she says. “Every single person kept going. You could see people digging really deep, but everyone was still encouraging one another. That says so much about the girls and boys taking part.”

A line of contestants in red Miss England T-shirts on an indoor pitch facing a trainer dressed in black
Contestants line up for instructions under the dome of the indoor pitch. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris
Contestants in red T-shirts stretching sideways with one arm raised on an indoor artificial pitch
Contestants stretch during the sports round. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

New to pageantry

Amy is relatively new to pageantry, and the sense of community has been one of the biggest surprises of her Miss England experience so far.

“You realise very quickly that these aren’t simply people turning up hoping to win a crown,” she said. “Everyone has their own story, their own reasons for being there and something they want to represent or inspire in other people. Then you actually meet them and they’re just ridiculously lovely as well!”

Three contestants in red Miss England tops smiling in front of a Miss England and Miss World England backdrop
Three contestants in front of the Miss England backdrop. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

The competition has a number of other fast-track rounds, each of which wins a Top 12 place: Talent, Publicity Queen, Explore the Nation, Beauty With a Purpose, Bare Face and the Ethical Iconic Legend Award. Several more rounds are still to come before the final.

“Of course everyone wants to do well, but I genuinely came away wanting everyone else to do well too,” Amy said. “Seeing how much effort these women are putting in, hearing their stories and watching everybody support each other completely changed the way I look at pageantry.”

Three contestants being interviewed on an indoor pitch, one holding a microphone, while a man films them on a video camera
Contestants are interviewed and filmed on the pitch. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

She also congratulated the winner. “A huge congratulations to Abbey, so deserved! I’ll be seeing her again at the final and hopefully we’ll be making some unforgettable memories together. Preferably ones involving slightly fewer squats!”

Contestants in red Miss England T-shirts posing in two rows on an indoor pitch beneath a #FEARLESS banner
Contestants gather for a group photograph beneath a #FEARLESS banner. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

For Amy, the day summed up what she hopes the rest of her Miss England run will be about: bringing people together, celebrating other women and spreading a little positivity.

“I’m naturally a very happy person, so being involved in something where people are supporting each other, making friendships and trying to inspire others is right up my street,” she said. “Yes, it’s a competition, but there’s definitely room for everyone to shine.”

Contestants in red Miss England T-shirts waving at the camera in two rows on an indoor pitch
Contestants wave for the camera at the end of the session. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

Before the round

Amy, the singer and vocal coach who runs her own business as well as performing and teaching singing, told us before the round that it was a long way from the stages she is used to.

Amy Morris smiling in a crown and a Norfolk sash, with greenery behind her
Amy Morris in her Miss Norfolk crown and sash. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

Her working life, she says, normally revolves around music, performing and helping other people build their confidence. Since winning the Norfolk title she has taken on a run of new challenges in the build-up to the final, and the sports round was the least familiar of them.

“This whole experience has been about pushing myself outside my comfort zone,” Amy said. “Give me a microphone and I’m absolutely fine; give me a sports challenge and suddenly I’m questioning all of my life choices!

“But I really want to throw myself into every part of Miss England and make Norfolk proud. For me, confidence isn’t about being brilliant at everything. Sometimes it’s about having a go, laughing at yourself and doing something that scares you a little bit.”

Amy Morris in sportswear, a Norfolk sash and a crown, kicking one trainer forward on a lawn, with a spire and a garden bench behind
Amy Morris in her sash and trainers ahead of the sports round. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

What comes next

Over the coming weeks Amy will take part in further Miss England activities and in fundraising as she builds towards 17 November.

She also wants the county involved. Amy says the run to the final is a chance to put Norfolk in the spotlight and to bring in as many local people and businesses as she can.

“I’d absolutely love Norfolk to get behind me,” she said. “I’m incredibly proud to be representing the county, and I want this whole journey to feel like something we can all be part of.”

Amy Morris in a crown and Norfolk sash pointing up at a tall stone spire behind a garden wall
Amy Morris points to the spire behind the garden wall. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

What it means for you

  • 17 November: the Miss England final at the Athena in Leicester, where Amy represents Norfolk.
  • Before then: several more Miss England rounds.
  • Between now and then: more Miss England activities and fundraising. Local people and businesses who want to support her run can contact her through The Norwich Times newsdesk at hello@norwichtimes.co.uk, and we will pass the message on.

We will report how she gets on at the final.

Amy Morris standing on a lawn in sportswear, trainers, a crown and a Norfolk sash, with trees and a spire behind
Amy Morris, Miss Norfolk 2026. Photo: supplied by Amy Morris

Before the round, Amy had said: “The trainers are ready. Whether I am is another question!”