Emma McManamon

Emma McManamon – An Impact Story of Determination, Inclusion and Sporting Success

From Aberfeldy in Scotland, Emma McManamon is a young athlete whose journey shows how sport can transform confidence, opportunity, and outlook on life. Born with cerebral palsy, Emma lives with challenges that affect her balance, walking ability, and cause stiffness in her arms. However, rather than limiting her path, these challenges have shaped a story of resilience, ambition, and remarkable achievement.

Emma’s journey into sport began after the COVID pandemic, when she first attended the Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports Club on a Friday evening. The opportunity came through her NHS physio, who encouraged her to explore adapted sport as part of her ongoing physical therapy and introduced her family to Perth & Kinross Disability Sport. What began as a simple introduction quickly became something much more meaningful. The club became a safe and welcoming space where Emma could try new activities, develop physical skills, and most importantly, meet new people who shared similar experiences. It wasn’t just about sport—it was about belonging.

For Emma, those early sessions were life-changing. Being part of a disability sport environment gave her the chance to focus on what she could achieve rather than the challenges she faced. She developed new skills, formed lasting friendships, and discovered a sense of confidence that would continue to grow as she progressed through her sporting journey.

Reflecting on Emma’s development since joining Perth Eagles, Coach Anne Mailer said:

“Emma has become stronger with every session, showing more confidence. Her bright smile shines through while her abilities in various sports keep getting better and better.”

This support and encouragement helped lay the foundations for Emma’s future success and sparked a passion for sport that continues to drive her today.

In early 2023, Emma’s sporting journey took a new direction when she was introduced to Boccia through Perth & Kinross Disability Sport’s Highland Perthshire programme in Aberfeldy. This moment marked the beginning of a new passion. She started attending the new PKDS Boccia sessions on Wednesday evenings, gradually learning the skills, strategy, and precision required in the sport. Boccia quickly became a highlight of her week - a sport where focus, patience, and tactical thinking matter just as much as physical strength.

By the end of 2023, Emma’s progress and commitment led her to join the Tayside regional Boccia squad. This step represented a significant achievement, placing her within a more competitive environment and allowing her to develop further as an athlete under the guidance of coaches Darren and Sam Thomson. Training alongside other dedicated players helped her refine her technique, build consistency, and gain valuable competitive experience.

Alongside wheelchair sports and boccia, Emma also attends swimming sessions with coach Anita Prentice every Tuesday evening, again as part of the PKDS Highland Perthshire programme. Swimming provides another important outlet for her, helping improve strength, mobility, and overall wellbeing. Together, these sports form a well-rounded routine that supports both her physical health and mental wellbeing.

Emma’s dedication has translated into impressive success, particularly in Boccia. One of her standout moments came in October 2025 when she became Scottish National Junior Champion for players with a physical disability, a milestone that reflected years of hard work, persistence, and determination. For Emma, being on top of the podium was about more than winning a title - it was proof of how far she had come since first engaging in the sport just a few years earlier.

Building on this achievement, 2026 proved to be another exceptional year. Emma reached the podium twice, earning both a silver medal and a bronze medal in national competition. These performances demonstrated not only her talent but also her consistency and commitment to continual improvement. Every competition brought new experiences, new lessons, and fresh motivation to keep pushing herself further.

These sporting achievements are even more remarkable when viewed alongside the challenges Emma has overcome. Throughout her life, she has undergone significant medical procedures to help manage the effects of cerebral palsy. She has had hamstring and tissue lengthening surgery, followed by Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), a complex spinal surgery aimed at reducing spasticity. She has also received multiple Botox treatments in her legs. Each procedure required extensive recovery and rehabilitation.

The resilience Emma has shown through these experiences is reflected in her approach to sport. Whether recovering from surgery, adapting to new challenges, or working towards ambitious goals, she has consistently demonstrated a willingness to persevere and keep moving forward.

Behind Emma’s success is a strong network of support. Her parents, siblings, wider family, coaches, physiotherapists, and teammates have all played important roles in helping her reach her potential. Their encouragement has enabled Emma to pursue opportunities, overcome obstacles, and celebrate achievements that once may have seemed out of reach.

Emma’s mum, Lindsay, has witnessed first-hand the positive impact sport has had on her daughter’s life:

“From my point of view, Emma benefits hugely from being involved in sport. Aside from the obvious health benefits, including supporting physio programmes, Emma has made some lovely friendships and, particularly with her disability sport involvement, she feels a huge sense of achievement and pride in what she does. She’s a fantastic advocate for inclusion in sport and it has really opened her eyes to a whole world of possibility that goes beyond sport itself.”

While medals and titles are significant achievements, the impact of sport on Emma’s life goes far beyond competition results. Through sport, she has gained confidence, independence, friendships, and opportunities that continue to shape her future. She has become an advocate for inclusion, showing others that disability should never be a barrier to participation or ambition.

Looking ahead, Emma has her sights firmly set on joining the Scottish Boccia squad. She dreams of representing Scotland on the international stage and travelling the world to compete against some of the best athletes in the sport. Her aspirations reflect not only her sporting ability but also her belief in what is possible when opportunities are accessible and support is available.

Graeme Doig from Perth & Kinross Disability Sport added:

“Emma has grown a confidence that transcends sport and this can be seen in all aspects of her life. It’s amazing to see the work she does in school to promote inclusion in PE as well as running a boccia session in her school too. Emma wants to be coached and to learn so she can keep improving for whatever is next. This outlook, I'm sure, will see her achieve all her ambitions in sport and life.”

Emma’s story demonstrates the life-changing power of sport. From building confidence and improving physical wellbeing to creating friendships and opening doors to new opportunities, sport has had a profound impact on every aspect of her life.

When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking about getting involved in sport, Emma’s message is simple but inspiring:

“My advice for someone else would be to try and get involved in at least one sport and give it a go for a little while. If you don’t like it, you can always try something else. I think it’s important to participate in something sporty because it not only keeps you active, but it also helps improve your mental and physical health.”

Emma McManamon’s journey is far from over. With her determination, talent, and positive outlook, she continues to break down barriers, inspire those around her, and prove that sport can create opportunities far beyond the playing field. Her story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, encouragement, and belief, extraordinary things are possible.

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