AT just 14, Emily Hebden has created history for Bradford Olympian Trampoline Club.

Competing at the club's biggest tournament to date last weekend, the Trampoline British Championships inside Birmingham's Utilita Arena, she won a bronze medal in her disability category (Cat 2 Women 9-14).

That followed two silvers that she won at qualification events in Telford earlier this year, which allowed her to compete at this national tournament.

Diagnosed with Septic Arthritis as a baby, Emily has a condition called Avascular Necrosis.

This means that she has no right hip socket and she also has surgical pins in both legs.

As a result, her legs are different lengths, but this hasn't stopped her excelling on the national stage.

Proud dad, and Bradford Olympian coach, Lee Hebden, told the T&A: "When Emily came out of hospital at a year old, we were told she might never walk, so it's quite the story her winning a national bronze medal.

"She started competing a few years ago in the able-bodied categories, before she entered into the disability ones.

"Because she has no right hip socket, all of her power comes from her left leg, which she has to push off on on the trampoline.

"There were three routines she had to complete in Birmingham and if she'd messed any up, it would have been all over for her in terms of medals.

"The International Centre in Telford where the qualifiers were held was a biggish venue, and for a 14-year-old like Emily, it was a big deal for her to even be there.

"So it really took it to the next level last weekend, competing at a big arena in a big city.

"She even had the honour of warming up on the Friday night on the same trampoline as Bryony Page, who is the current women's world champion and a two-time Olympic medallist."

Frustratingly for Emily, she cannot progress as far as her able-bodied clubmates, with her dad explaining: "This is where it falls down for disabled trampoline competitors.

"The British Championships are the highest level they can compete at, whereas there are European and World competitions for those who are able-bodied.

"The disability categories currently are 14 and under, then 15 and over, so next year is when Emily makes that big step up to the latter."

Emily went it alone for Bradford Olympian in Birmingham last weekend, with her dad explaining: "She was the only one from the club there, and this was the first time any of our youngsters had competed at this high a level.

"The club's head coach, Mike Abbott, used to compete nationally, but this was his first time coaching at a national event.

"We will be taking all 15 or so of our kids to the Yorkshire Championships next month though, where there will be 400 to 450 competitors from across Yorkshire."

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