Badminton world champion and Kingston University alumna Gail Emms MBE outlines power of ambition at University’s People Awards

Former World, European and Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms MBE shared how ambition had shaped and driven her success deliver a keynote speech to an audience of more than 300 staff at Town House.

The elite athlete, who won gold in doubles and team badminton events at the 2006 World Championships, 2004 and 2006 European Championships and 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games, as well as silver at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, graduated from Kingston University with a BSc (Hons) Sport Science in 1998, having been the first in her family to go to university.

Returning to her alma mater almost three decades on, she spoke to an audience of Academic and Professional Services staff at the University’s annual People Awards. The ceremony recognises the achievements of staff who have shown an outstanding contribution over the past year, in how they embody the University’s values of being ambitious, inclusive, innovative and enterprising.

Emms shared how her ambition had been driven by two role models – her mum Janice, who played for the England Women’s national team at the 1971 Women’s World Cup, and Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell, who inspired her to become an Olympian.

“I practised badminton with my mum from the age of four, and she wouldn’t let me win – I had to earn every point and that gave me the determination and ambition I needed to become an elite athlete. 

“I also remember watching Sally Gunnell win Gold in the 400 metre hurdles at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. As a 15-year-old, seeing a strong woman stand on the podium representing Great Britain inspired me and gave me the drive and ambition to one day represent my country at the Olympics – I never looked back after that,” she said.

Emms also reflected on her time at university, and the ambition and vision she experienced during her studies at Penrhyn Road three decades ago. “I’ve always found every single person at Kingston University really supports one another and that helps everyone realise their ambitions. When I studied back here in the 90s, I saw the University have huge ambitions to become a really established, well-respected university and it’s great to come back and see they have achieved these goals.”

Discussing her glittering career, which saw her reach world number one for badminton mixed doubles alongside long-time teammate Nathan Robertson, Emms said her course helped give her the edge. “I took the learnings I picked up during my sport science degree around performance, goal setting, anatomy and physiology into my training and competitions and I really felt it gave me the upper hand against my competitors.”

The athlete represented England internationally during her time at Kingston University after making her debut in 1995 and went on to earn 68 caps for her country. Emms said although it was challenging to juggle elite sport and her studies, she was well supported. “At times it was difficult to balance training, learning and student life but the lecturers were very professional and my friends also helped enormously – everyone at Kingston University supported me to have a good student life while enabling me to compete at my best.”

Since retiring from competitive international badminton after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Emms has worked as a sports ambassador, coach, author and media personality, as well as mentoring young athletes ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games. She was also appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009 in recognition of her services to badminton.

Since retiring, she has enjoyed being able to give back to the community, including working with schoolchildren to help them understand the benefits sport can have both physically and mentally. 

Rounding off her speech, she had some advice for the staff who attended the event. “I’ve learned we can’t compare ourselves to anyone else, we can only be us and with that drive we can also be the best versions of ourselves. We do need the support of people around us but it’s important to believe in yourself to achieve what you want.”