A YOUNG skeet shooter from Poole is aiming for glory in her Commonwealth Games debut on Australia’s Gold Coast next month.

Emily Hibbs, who started shooting four years ago at Purbeck Shooting School, where she now works, is ranked third in senior ladies in the UK this year.

The 19-year-old’s achievements in the world of shooting are all the more inspiring as she has Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at the age of ten, she relies on daily doses of insulin to stay alive.

Emily, who is also studying for an NVQ in business management, said: “In order to be healthy and perform at my best I need to make sure I have control over my diabetes and manage it to the best of my ability.

“When my blood glucose control isn’t quite adequate, it takes a negative toll on my performance. With high blood glucose levels, my body becomes tired, my eyes especially - which is not ideal as those are key in my sport - and I can become very irritable.

“But I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that diabetes is just another thing that makes me, me. I would say, you may have diabetes, but don’t allow it stop you or hold you back from achieving what you want to achieve in sport or any other field.”

Emily is preparing to join the 400 Team England athletes who will be flying out to Australia for the 2018 Commonwealth Games which begin on April 4.

She said: “Being able to represent your country is an honour and being able to compete in a multi-games event halfway across the world is very exciting, but it’s also daunting.”

Annika Palmer, Diabetes UK South West regional head, said: “We all need role models and Emily is definitely one. Having Type 1 diabetes can be tough but we want young people to know that a diagnosis doesn’t have to mean an end to your dreams, as Emily has shown. “Managing your diabetes well means you can lead a full and active life and achieve great things. Go Emily – we’ll be cheering you on wherever your career may take you.”