LOCAL underwater hockey prodigy Emma Horak has recently returned to Margaret River victorious after captaining WA’s under 15s side to an undefeated championship in Bunbury earlier this month.
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The 14-year-old led the state’s best players in a tirade against opposing states, claiming wins against each of them.
“It was really exciting to represent the state and play on a big stage,” Emma said.
“For lots of kids it was their first year, so it was good to watch them play.”
Unlike the others, this was Emma’s third time in the annual competition, her first coming when she was 12.
“I’ve been playing since I was nine and I’ve been to the national comp a couple of times before,” she said.
“But I was really awe-struck by how many competitors turned out this time and it was really good to have it in WA.”
Emma was chosen to captain the side by a panel of coaches, and said it was one of her more proud moments.
“I was absolutely honoured to be named the team captain,” she said.
“We had some great players in our side so it was really nice.”
Emma was attracted to the sport at a young age after playing club matches.
“It’s a really unusual sport, but I had an instant love for it,” she said.
“My whole family are quite strong swimmers and we all seem to love being in the water.”
Emma also competed at the international underwater hockey championships in Spain last August.
She was joined by fellow Margaret River players Lilly Ladd-McGovern, Lochie Pendlebury, Natalie Iredale and Tate Strudwick.
