Emma aims high

During her first and second years she trained in Sheffield, travelling up weekly. She travelled to Sweden to compete in one of the world’s biggest handball tournaments, the Partille Cup, and also competed in Denmark and Bosnia. Her Sports Scholarship helped with travel costs as well as strength and conditioning coaching and free gym membership. 

Handball was introduced to Emma when she was ten, growing up in Clevedon, North Somerset. She now plans to stay in Exeter to do a Masters in Sport and Exercise Medicine while fighting to regain her place in the GB handball squad.

Emma is hoping for a career in research or lecturing while continuing sport. She says: “It has been difficult on occasion to combine the two – especially when there has been pressure to train full-time during term time, but if I had my time again I wouldn’t change a thing. Good time management and organisation has enabled me to follow all my pursuits successfully.  I have loved every moment of my degree, and have had great experiences with University staff, who have seemed very keen to help me.”

Professor Roger Eston, Head of the School of Sport and Health Sciences, says: “Emma has been a great student - she has achieved great things academically while excelling at her sport, but remaining modest. It is good to see minority sports represented among our Sports Scholars, and although Exeter does not have a handball team, she has been a valued member of the Wildcats intramural rounders team!”

Handball is a fast-paced game involving two teams of seven players who pass, throw, catch and dribble a small ball with their hands while trying to score goals.

The School of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter has an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. It is based at the St Luke’s campus, where facilities for students include new purpose-built teaching and research laboratories.