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Emma set for GB ladies' goalball debut

24/ 1/2008

EMMA Jones, who lives in Middleton, has been chosen to play goalball for Great Britain in international tournaments in Finland and Sweden.

These contests will be part of the long build-up to the 2012 Paraplegic Games.

Emma, 22, started playing goalball after losing her sight when 11-years-old.

She joined Rochdale Goalball Club as a complete novice, quickly learned the basics of the sport, and played her first tournament for the club in May 1997.

Over the next four years Emma worked hard at her game and regularly represented Rochdale in BBS national competitions.

She came to the attention of the Great Britain coaching staff in 2001 when, as a 16 year-old, she was invited to join the GB girls' squad and was selected to represent Great Britain in an international tournament in Florida two years running.

Emma picked up the Young Disabled Sports Achiever award at the 2003 Rochdale Sports Awards, but she was forced to give up her international goalball career shortly afterwards due to the pressure of college work.

She kept her hand in by representing Rochdale in national competitions whenever possible, and last summer, after successfully completing her college course, Emma found she had the time to fully commit to the game again.

Following a series of impressive performances in national tournaments, and in an international invitation event in Holland, she was invited by the British Paralympic Association to join the GB senior ladies' squad at a training camp in Milton Keynes.

That has been followed by GB selection.