Dedicated Emma aims for the top
TEENAGER Emma Humphreys got more than she bargained for on a fortnight's work experience at the Free Press. Our team of inquisitive reporters quickly uncovered her sports prowess and potential - both in the swimming pool and on the athletics track. So PAUL GOODWIN spoke to the Hall Cross School pupil about the dedication required to be a rising star - and discovers the benefits of a sporting upbringing.
IMAGINE swimming a steady three miles with the sun still rising...
Then going to work for a normal shift, quickly followed by another three miles in the pool - and then finishing any undone work once you finally arrive home.
Try doing this four or five times a week.
It is a rigorous routine which had me and many of my editorial colleagues breaking out in a cold sweat - just thinking about it!
But welcome to the world of Doncaster Dartes swimmer Emma Humphreys - a natural athlete who, along with her similarly dedicated team-mates, has her best sporting years still ahead of her.
Emma, who also shone at the recent Doncaster and District Schools Athletics Championship, might not be the most successful young sports star ever featured in the Free Press.
But the fifteen-year-old from Bessacarr is one of only a handful of youngsters in the borough to truly excel at both swimming and running.
And she represents almost a silent breed of teenagers whose unwavering commitment to both academia and sport often goes unnoticed and unreported - unlike tales of her 4am alarm calls.
"It's hard work," said Emma, describing her daily grind.
"You get to the end of the week and you just want to go to bed!
"My school friends think it's a bit extreme and you do have to push yourself to get up at that time but it gets easier the more you do it.
"When I first started doing the morning sessions I thought you'll never get me up at that time.
"But now I can just about cope with it and, when I do get to school, I feel much more alert.
"I've not had that much schoolwork this year but next year I'll have a lot more GCSE coursework to fit in too.
"But I'm determined to get the required grades and also get my swimming times down to a national standard."
All-rounder Emma is no mean runner either, claiming second spot in last week's Doncaster and District Schools championships Year 10 800m final.
In between her studies, in which she is predicted to pick up a plethora of GCSE 'A*'s and 'A's, she'll also cram in games of hockey and rounders with school friends.
But swimming is her true passion.
And her focus is on making a splash in the prestigious national championships.
The 200m butterfly swimmer said: "I remember learning when I was four-year-old - my mum wanted me to know how to swim.
"I was eight when I started swimming competitively for Rossington Swimming Club and then a couple of years later I joined Doncaster Dartes.
"I've made a lot of friends since I joined and I enjoy being in a team.
"It's also given me a lot more confidence.
"I finished third in the Scottish National B Finals and the North East finals this year, and I'm off to the Welsh Nationals later this month.
"But I'm really hoping to make it through to the English finals next year and then on to the British Championships."
It is no surprise that sport is central to Emma's life, considering her roots.
Mum Linda, a teacher at Rossington Swimming Club, played hockey, netball and tennis in her youth.
Dad Dave went to Loughborough University - a sporting centre of excellence - where he took part in diving and trampolining.
And ten-year-old brother Thomas plays football for Bessacarr Juniors FC, as well as being a keen swimmer and tennis player.
It all makes for a hectic Humphreys' household - but that does not bother Linda.
She said: "Emma's definitely become a lot more confident since taking up sport and it's helped her self-discipline and time management.
"You've only got so much time to fit in training and schoolwork so she's got to be bang on with the time management aspect.
"She's also been abroad to swim camps so she's had to look after herself away from home quite a bit.
"Through sport she's met so many people and had a lot of opportunities that she would not have otherwise had without it.
"It's a massive commitment on the whole family in terms of fitting things in - but it's definitely worth it when you look at the benefits."
IN PROFILE
Name: Emma Humphreys
Date of Birth: 5 June, 1994
School: Hall Cross Upper
Studying: P.E, Business Studies, French, Geography, Maths, English, Science
Favourite sports: Swimming, rounders, all sports really
Member of: Doncaster Dartes Swimming Club
Personal bests: 200 fly - 2.29.4, 100 fly - 1.09.2, 200IM, 2.33.8,
Hobbies: Swimming, shopping, socialising with friends
Biggest sporting achievement: Finishing third in Scottish Nationals B final
Sporting heroes: Rebecca Adlington, Michael Phelps
Favourite sports team: Hall Cross Year 10 Rounders team
Sporting ambition: To achieve a national qualifying time and then get to the British Championships
Superstitions: I don't really have any although I have to shake my arms and legs before a race - otherwise I think I might not swim well!
How do you relax away from sport: Watch television or socialise with friends
Favourites Food: Lasagne or Christmas dinner
Drink: fruit juice
Television: Friends
Film: Love Actually
Holiday destination: Majorca or Florida
Music: The Noisettes, Jason Mraz, Katy Perry
A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF EMMA HUMPHREYS...in her own words...
WHEN my alarm clock goes off at 4.15am on a Monday morning it signals the start of another week for me and the other top swimmers in Doncaster - with all my other friends still fast asleep.
I get ready - usually half asleep - and have a quick bowl of cereal before making my way to the pool for a 5am start.
We usually swim between 4,000m and 6,000m in an average session and after a two-hour swim I then hurry to get changed, head back home and get ready for school.
Before I know it school finishes and I'm off to the pool again.
After another two-hour swim and a quick gym session, I finally get to go home and eat my tea that I've been waiting for all day!
I'll relax for a while and watch a bit of television before getting an early night...ready for another early morning swim.
The week follows a similar pattern - but I enjoy my Tuesday and Friday nights off, along with a well-earned lay-in on Wednesday.
As well as swimming I enjoy doing PE lessons at school and occasionally do after-school sports when I can fit it in.
But it's not all hard work.
Saturdays I spend with my friends, catching up on homework or simply doing nothing.
Sunday is also a day of rest - or for catching up with more homework.
Although, not all weekends are so relaxing - many of them are spent at Ponds Forge in Sheffield competing in galas or training.
* Do you know a rising sports star with a story to tell?
Click here to email paul.goodwin@doncastertoday.co.uk with the details.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Doncaster
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
