Local young roller skater competes for Great Britain

Francis Baily Primary School pupil Emma Bowman honoured to skate for her country

A THATCHAM schoolgirl has returned home beaming with pride after representing Great Britain in an international skating competition.

Emma Bowman competed in the Issy-Paris Roller Dance Competition; skating off against 23 competitors from nine countries at Espoir level; where her Denver Shuffle, Canasta Tango and free dance saw her finish 17th overall.

The 11-year-old was the only skater from West Berkshire Roller Skating Club and from the local area to be selected, owing to her recent successes in championships and competitions.

Emma competed at the Federation of Artistic Roller Skating (UK) Spring Solo Dance competitions in March, where she won the event for elementary standard skaters.

She has achieved this after only competing for two-and-a-half years, although she has had skates on from a young age as mother Tarnia is a trainer at the club.

The Francis Baily Primary School pupil was extremely honoured to be selected for her country and Mrs Bowman said she was amazingly proud of her daughter.

“Seeing her standing behind the Great Britain sign with the rest of her team mates was a real emotional moment for me,” she said.

“As her mum, I was so proud seeing her out there competing at that level and completely amazed that she skated so well, and didn’t let the fact she was competing for her country get to her at all.

“Emma couldn’t have skated any better. She made lots of friends with the other GB competitors that were there, which was good because it stopped her getting nervous about her performance.”

Emma is continuing her training ahead of the British Championships at the end of May.