Emma reaches 100th cap milestone

A 24-YEAR-OLD Lurgan woman has recently received her 100th cap for the Irish hockey team.

Emma Clarke, daughter of Brian Clarke and Sharon Wright, is a former pupil of King’s Park Primary School, Lurgan Junior High School and Lurgan College.

She achieved the 100 cap milestone in the recent game against Belgium. Emma has been involved in the Ireland Senior Women's Hockey Team since receiving her first International cap in July 2006.

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She moved to England in September 2009 where she is a full time PE teacher and recently was appointed Head of Girls Games in St Alban’s School.

She plays for Leicester Ladies Hockey Club who have just rounded off an incredible season by lifting the England National Outdoor League Title, England National Indoor Title and the England National Cup.

The club are looking forward to competing in two European competitions this coming season as well as retaining the league and cup titles.

On the International front, although living in England, effective communication between The Sports Institute Northern Ireland and The Ireland Management Team allows Emma to carry out the same training as the other girls in the squad which is closely monitored by the strength and conditioning coaches.

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Emma is in the gym before work at 6am two mornings a week and then after work two times a week working on conditioning and travels to Leicester Hockey Club two nights a week to train. The weekends see club competition or international duty with Ireland.

Said Emma: "Working full time, playing club hockey with Leicester, managing an international hockey career and having a social life isn't easy but it is very worthwhile when you receive a milestone 100 caps and you know that all the hard work pays off."

Emma is very grateful to her supportive employer who allows time off to compete and train with Ireland. She travels home for training camps in Dublin and flies from English airports to meet the team when playing overseas.

Emma would like to thank a few people who impacted on her international career - Ivor Lennon, Debbie McCollum, Nicola Thompson and Anne Knox.

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She would also like to thank her family and friends for their continued support over the years and their understanding to the commitment involved.

September 2010 sees the build up to the qualification process for London 2012, the European Championships in August 2011 will be the first chance Ireland have of qualifying for the Olympics where they need to be placed in the top four for automatic qualification.

For the time being though Emma is enjoying some well earned time off with family and friends after a long yet very successful season for both club and international hockey.

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