Getting to know Knutsford Netball Club's Emma Pike

First up is netballer and PE teacher Emma Pike, who is also handy on the golf course and would love it if Bradley Walsh from The Chase became her celebrity fan.

And if you would like to get involved in our 'Getting to know you' feature, scroll down to find out how.

Date of birth: 30/01/69

Place of birth: Knutsford

Schools/colleges/uni: Knutsford High, South Cheshire College in Crewe, Liverpool John Moore’s University

Occupation: PE teacher

Team: Knutsford Netball Club

Representative teams: Cheshire and North West when younger.

Honours: Player of the season for local league. Official of the year for Warrington Sports Partnership. Coached Cheshire u18s and u21s

What do you enjoy most about playing for your club?

Meeting and getting to know new people, being able to umpire at many different standards and levels of play, seeing improvements in the players I coach, being allowed to compete, enabling the games to be played well when I officiate, keeping fit, getting stronger and seeing new combinations gel.

What’s been the highlight of your sporting days so far?

Player of the season for local league, coaching a multi-teamed club, selecting combinations of players for the teams, the club showing their appreciation for me on my last birthday and umpiring Superleague level netball at both senior as well as the different age groups.

Who do you look up to in your sport and why?

Karen Greig and Tracey Neville as I like their style of coaching. Michelle Phippard for umpiring as she has an excellent rapport with the players.

Who has had the most influence on you in your sport and in what way?

Karen Greig from attending her high-level coaching sessions and observing her on many occasions at Thunder training and matches. Sheelagh Redpath and Roger Perham in the world of England Netball umpiring as they believed in my capabilities to take my umpiring to the next level and supported me throughout

What’s your aims in netball?

To continue to umpire at the highest level I am capable of, to play for as long as my body will allow me to and to coach until the club has had enough of me.

Tell us something nice about one of your teammates

Helena Banfield has gone very far out of her way to help promote the club in every way possible on social media this year.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen in your sport?

I can’t think of a funny moment but an incredible sign of strength moment was when Serena Guthrie was lying on top of the ball (which was inside the goal circle) with her feet on the ground outside the goal circle so that she didn’t get blown for off-side in the Jamaica v England match which took place at Belle Vue in Manchester.

What do you find to be the most difficult aspect of participating in netball?

The fact that coaches and players want contacts blown for by the umpire one minute and the next minute they want the advantage to be allowed and vice versa.

When I’m coaching and selecting the different team’s players, they don’t understand the fact that certain combinations work better than others sometimes rather than just picking the strongest seven players.

If you could pluck any player from the elite level of your sport to play in your team who would it be and why?

From an overseas team Grettel Tippett for all her flair. From England, Jo Harten for her passion and drive so visible when out on the court.

Which team do you support and what’s been your favourite moment watching them?

Manchester Thunder at Worcester Arena and Helen Housby’s last-gasp goal at Superleague level under Tracey Neville, and Helen Housby’s last-gasp penalty shot in the Commonwealth Games in Australia under Tracey Neville.

Who’s your sporting hero or heroes and why?

Don’t have one as I think netball is all about the team.

What are your best qualities in sport?

Patience, reaction times, vision and ability to motivate others.

What other sports have you played and what were your achievements?

In trampolining I qualified for league finals which were held at the Olympic park. In double mini trampoline, coming 12th in the country at league finals for my level and age. I played National League volleyball for Sefton Volleyball Club where I played setter throughout. In golf I have won my club’s all members day trophy two years on the run.

If you could change one rule in your sport what would it be and why?

That you can land on the court in possession with the ball even if you took off from outside the court without the ball.

What’s been the most memorable event/match you’ve participated in?

The equivalent of the FA Cup in netball which is no more. But from here I got selected to umpire senior Superleague.

How would you sum up/describe the team that you play for?

Passionate, determined and motivated.

Tell us something about you that your teammates wouldn’t know?

I play golf left-handed.

Do you have a set routine in terms of preparation on a match day?

To have eaten two hours before or more and have all the equipment etc ready to go.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

The smallest of steps forwards helps gets someone’s confidence back.

What’s the worst part of training for you?

From a coach point of view, match play when the combinations of players you want to work with aren’t there. From a player’s point of view, drills that don’t relate to game play.

What would you say is the easiest part of playing your sport?

Wanting to play

If you could choose to play your sport at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?

Manchester Arena with a full audience to show that that’s how many people follow netball.

How much of your life does your sport take up?

On average three days a week, evening and weekend wise, but I’m also a PE teacher so it is part of my day job too.

If you had a celebrity fan, who would you want it to be and why?

Bradley Walsh from The Chase as I think his sense of humour is fantastic.

What or who motivates you ahead of a match?

Me, the event, the team members

Do you have a motto that you follow in your sport?

One for all and all for one.

What lessons for life have you learned through your sport?

Many in relation to health and friendships, the best being that your friends in sport can help you get through very tough times.

When the time comes to retire from playing netball, do you think you would like to take up a different role in your sport?

I’m sure I will. I enjoy being involved.

Who would you say are the top 10 sporting personalities in the world, ever?

1, Lionel Messi; 2, Lewis Hamilton; 3, Usain Bolt; 4, Mo Farrah; 5, Steve Redgrave; 6, Chris Hoy; 7, Ben Ainslie; 8, Kelly Holmes; 9, Jessica Ennis-Hill; 10, Martina Navratilova

*** If you would like to appear in our ‘Getting to know you’ feature, contact mike.parsons@nqnw.co.uk for a Q&A form ***