Emily Martin credits diving partner Robyn Birch for year of success
Martin, 22, and Birch, 29, won bronze in the women’s 10m platform synchronized sprint at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last summer, finishing third behind England team-mates Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Eden Cheng.
And being your best pals away from the diving pool was fundamental to securing a podium finish for Martin, who made her debut as part of British Diving in 2017 and finished fifth in the women’s 10m individual at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest .
“Communication is a big part of any sport, but especially when you’re in sync with someone,” she said.
“Robyn and I have become best friends over the past few years, so being close makes training a lot easier.
Royal Bank of Canada celebrated #SportsAidWeek 2023 by hosting a packed fundraising day at its central London offices 👏#BeAGoodSportsAid On this day, employees took part in activities related to the #MyMiles Challenge and this year’s theme of accessibility and inclusion 🫶 pic.twitter.com/a0BxuUKrs4
— SportsAid (@TeamSportsAid) March 7, 2023
“We don’t even have to think about it, it just happens.
“I think that’s been the case with all my sync partners in the past as well, once you’re friends it just syncs on the board and that makes it what it is.
“For that reason my biggest achievement to date is probably my bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games last year with Robyn.
“It was probably my most fun experience too because it was a whole game with a lot of other different sports.
“I mean every trip is fun. It’s not just about being on the podium, it’s also about seeing your diving family.
“I just love meeting new people, traveling the world and having new experiences.”
SportsAid Week 2023 is an annual initiative launched in 2016. This year’s event will take place from Monday 6th March to Sunday 12th March.
This year’s theme focuses on “Accessibility and Inclusion” as the charity puts the spotlight on the country’s most talented young athletes and celebrates the incredible work being done by its partners to support the future of British sport.
Martin is one of 1,000 athletes who receive support from SportsAid to fund their sporting careers.
Saffery Champness lifted the #SupportTheNext Trophy, SportsAid’s annual wheelchair basketball competition, at the @CopperBoxArena yesterday 🏀
The 15-team tournament, sponsored by Reed Smith, celebrated accessibility and inclusion as part of #SportsAidWeek 2023! #MyMiles pic.twitter.com/iYbVbyAC6g
— SportsAid (@TeamSportsAid) March 9, 2023
And to celebrate SportsAid’s ten-year partnership with RBC, Martin recently took part in a yoga class with fellow scuba diver and SportsAid alumnus Leon Taylor on #BeAGoodSportsAid Day during SportsAid Week.
She said, “SportsAid made me the athlete I am today,” she said.
“They support you not only with diving, but also with sports, with interviews and everything that sports life entails.
“And I’ve had so much support from RBC throughout my career. I was friends with one of the staff named Clyde and he had so much faith in me.
“He always got in touch and asked how I was doing with my competitions. He really was one of my biggest supporters.
“The events that SportsAid and RBC host just help make you feel safer and more supported.
“That confidence definitely carries over to the diving pool and lets you perform at your best.”
Running from Monday 6th March to Sunday 12th March, SportsAid Week 2023 was an engaging week of fun and awareness raising around the topic of accessibility and inclusion. Please visit www.sportsaid.org.uk