10.10.11 Emily Wins Hat-trick of Bronze Medals at Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships

A 17 year old Derbyshire schoolgirl is celebrating winning a hat-trick of Bronze Medals at the Royal Life Saving Society’s (RLSS) Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in South Africa.

Ockbrook School student Emily Allsop from Smalley won her three cherished medals in the finals of the Manikin Relay, Simulated Emergency Response Competition and Team Event. She was amongst a squad of 10 lifesavers representing England in the Championships in Durban from 27th September to 1st October 2011.

An ecstatic Emily commented: “Being chosen to go to the Commonwealth Championships was such a privilege, but to come home with three Bronze Medals is just amazing. It was an incredibly tough competition and I am so pleased to have achieved this.

“I have been swimming for Ripley in their lifesaving section for many years and my success reflects the many hours I’ve invested in training over the years. It’s also a tribute to my mother, who has endured years of early morning and late night training to get me to this point!”

The five day Championships saw competitors taking part in a variety of lifesaving events, including obstacle swim, obstacle relay, line throw, manikin carry with fins, super lifesaver, manikin relay and medley relay.Emily’s mother, Catherine Allsop, says: “Emily’s sister Susannah and I are extremely proud of her, and her achievements. Emily's character is of a hugely determined and quietly competitive young woman. She never gives up, even when faced with set-backs and sporting disappointments. She will always give of her best as an individual or a team player, she sets herself high standards, academically and in sport and is not afraid to put in the work to achieve her goals. Her success is well deserved.”

Previously Emily has won her way through to the UK National Lifesaving Championships for several years running, achieving silver in 2009. In 2010 high achieving Emily became one of just 22 young people across the country to win a prestigious Army scholarship to help her while she continues her studies in the sixth form and when she goes to university.

Alison Steele, Head Teacher, Ockbrook School, says: “Emily is an absolute star. She is a pleasure to teach and is an outstanding sportswoman. Her list of successes in triathlon, biathlon, horse riding, athletics goes on and on. But it is her level headedness and maturity with which she accepts her successes that reflects the true personal qualities of this hugely popular, yet extremely humble student.”

Emily has competed at the RLSS National Championships since she was 12 years old and joined Ripley R.A.S.C.A.L.S. in 2008 and has consistently finished high in the rankings, medaling for the last three years. The coaching team at Ripley is exemplary and has mentored Emily to achieve her potential, a role she now happily reciprocates after becoming a member of the coaching team, whilst completing her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, and now supports the younger junior squad.

Emily is a hugely talented athlete and sports woman and has won many regional and national honours in athletics, distance running, biathlon, tetrathlon, pentathlon, pistol shooting, dressage, and eventing in the Pony Club.

Grangemount and Ockbrook School are located between Nottingham and Derby, just off the A52. Grangemount Nursery & Junior School to Ockbrook School is an independent school for boys and girls aged 2-11. A series of open door days will provide parents and children with the opportunity to take a look around the Grangemount and meet staff and current pupils. For further details see www.ockbrook.derby.sch.uk Ockbrook School is an independent school for girls aged 11-18 years. For further details visit our website www.ockbrook.derby.sch.uk