Emily Plant will represent WA at the national |championships.
Camera IconEmily Plant will represent WA at the national |championships. Credit: Supplied/Will Russell www.communitypix.com.au d446811

Ice-skating in Emily’s genes

Rosanna CandlerWestern Suburbs Weekly

Despite trying ice-skating for the first time just 18 months ago, the pint-sized Wembley resident will join her Bumblebees teammates to represent WA at the Australian Figure Skating Championships in Sydney from November 27.

“When I’m skating I feel like I’m where I am supposed to be, I feel like it is home,” Emily said.

While most of her Wembley Primary School friends are training on the netball court or practising their footy skills, Emily is perfecting her waltz jump and camel spin at Cockburn Ice Arena.

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“I sometimes have to stand very still for a minute to get my balance back and stop feeling dizzy,” she said.

“Synchronised skating is very challenging because you have to rely on everyone else getting it right at the same time.

“When I started, I was only used to skating on my own, but now I really love being part of a team. It’s a lot of hard work, but you don’t even think about it when you’re having so much fun.”

Mother Jennifer Black said she was surprised her daughter fell in love with ice-skating so quickly.

“I’m from Canada, so the ice was just part of my life growing up,” Ms Black said.

“When I had kids in Australia, I didn’t think they would be interested. It was funny how she wanted to keep coming back every week.

“Maybe it’s in her genes.”