THERE are some people who are naturally talented at no matter what they turn their hand to, with the list of athletes who have reached the top in different sports an illustrious one, and there is about to be another athlete added to the likes of Nova Peris (hockey and athletics), Ellyse Perry (soccer and cricket), Jana Pittman (athletics and bobsleigh) and Erin Phillips (basketball and AFLW).

Emily Iredell was selected to play basketball for the School Sports Victoria (SSV) Under-12 girls’ team earlier this year and now she has also been selected for the SSV Athletics team in the long jump.

It is rare for an athlete in regional Victoria to gain selection in one sport but to make it two different sports is unheard of, and Iredell must be congratulated for her drive and determination to excel at both sports.

Having won the national title for basketball in Perth earlier in the year, Iredell now travels to St Leonard in Tasmania for the School Sports Australia national championships for athletics where she will compete in the 12-and Under girls long-jump event.

With a personal best leap of 4.78m, Iredell will be seeking to better that distance in November.

She is currently training three times a week with her coach, Phillip Molesworth keeping a watchful eye on her progress.

“Phillip has helped me so much since I started with him, and he totally changed my style and made me better just by watching me and giving me guidance,” Iredell said.

“I wouldn’t be where I am with all my sport, if it wasn’t for the support I have received from my school principal, Mr. (Ben) Kelson and teachers like Mr. (Lachie) Watt who have been wonderful in helping me get to this point.

“I have been able to train and practice all through winter as the school has allowed me to use the gym which has allowed me to keep improving.

Iredell travelled to Knox in Melbourne for the trails, and it was the first time she has been able to perform on a full-length runway track as the runway at Mitchell Park isn’t long enough for her run up.

She not only trailed for the long jump, but also the 100m sprint and the high jump where she only just failed to clear the bar and gain selection for that event as well.

“I have been discussing the heptathlon with her as she is strong in many events and I believe she will be a future champion in this event,” Molesworth said.

“Emily is an outstanding prospect for the future and can go a long way in the sport, (and) I am confident that she will represent Victoria in the Australian championships next March in several events.”

While basketball is her first love (she has just completed the Basketball Victoria Golden Nugget programme in Ballarat where she is in line for selection for the Victorian Under-14 team), Iredell would be open to a dual sporting career.

As an incredibly talented athlete, it may well happen.