Emma Bushby has joined a club with Sydney Olympians after becoming a British triathlon junior champion.

The 14-year-old from Shoreham gained the national under-14s Milk series crown after gaining maximum points in four rounds at Thruxton, Dover, East Grinstead and Womborne.

Emma has also completed a treble as she has taken the South East Region triathlon and duathlon series.

Now she has joined the Sigma Club, which includes Sydney competitors Tim Dowd and Andy Johns, at Kingston Upon Thames after competiting for Sussex's Team Viper.

She said: "I am absolutely over the moon about it. There is a guy called Steve Freestone who scouts for Sigma, which is an elite club.

"I watched the Olympic triathlon and it was a total inspiration, with Britain getting two in the top ten including Tim.

"Now I am going to be training with Tim. It is unbelievable.

"I am chuffed to have won the British title I have worked very hard for it and now this. I also will get to train with Tim's coach and possibly Tim at a special training weekend. It is all great motivation for me."

Emma also received another bonus with an England call-up.

She said: "I have automatically got into the England squad because I won the British series."

Emma praised the support of Shoreham College, where she is studying for her GCSEs, for helping her achieve success in a sport introduced to the Olympics in Sydney.

"I am so lucky my school has great sports facilities. It has a swimming pool and a grass running track.

"The teachers are very supportive and my friends are are too when they cheer me on when I'm competing."

Emma revealed the sacrifices she has made to achieve success at the sport which involves swimming, cycling and running.

Emma has to swim 300m, cycle eight miles and run 2,000m every time she competes, so fitness is crucial.

She said: "I have had to be been very focused this season.

"It has meant giving up late nights out with my mates because of early morning training sessions. I am dedicated. I have been on holiday this week but I still went out for my morning run despite the fact that it was raining. Having a new coach in Ian Gummery has been a big help too.

"I do it all because I enjoy it."

She is hoping it will all lead to the Olympics one day as Britain fast develops as a strong nation in the sport. Britain was the only country to have two men in the top ten finishers in Sydney.