We ask four of our favourite sportswomen the same five questions. See what Gail Emms, Faye White, Natalie White and Victoria Pendleton all have to say.

Victoria Pendleton - cycling

1. If you weren’t a cyclist, what other sport would you choose?

I wish I could have been a downhill skier. That looks like the ultimate rush! I honestly don’t know how someone could go skiing and not have fun. It works all the muscle groups that you want to tone, you’re seeing beautiful scenery and going extremely fast all at the same time. Sounds like a perfect sport! I think when I retire I’ll probably just do a whole season somewhere.

2. How do you like to spend your free time when you are not on the bike?

I’ve got two little dobie puppies - Junkie and Stella. All I want to do is take them for a walk in the park or in the countryside and play with a tennis ball. I could just do that all day!

3. What’s your favourite TV show?

At the moment it is The Vampire Diaries. I don’t know if that’s embarrassing, but I only like watching trashy TV!

4. What essential item is always in your kit bag?

Lip balm. I actually can’t function without lip balm. I don’t know if it’s from cycling outside or something, but when my lips feel a bit dry, I hate that.

5. What was your experience of school sport like?

I was in lots of sports teams. I was on the hockey team, the rugby team, the rounders team and I even ran the cross country in the winter. It didn’t make me the most popular individual, because a lot of the girls didn’t love my competitive attitude. I really enjoy being competitive and I get a lot from it, but it was socially difficult as a teenager.

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Gail Emms - badminton

1. If you weren’t a badminton player, what other sport would you choose?

Hockey as I played at school, and we had a really good team. We had a few girls that played for England, and at thirteen I was at the same standard as one of the girls who went on to play at international level, but I decided to stay with badminton. But I just

loved being part of that whole team.

2. How do you like to spend your free time when you’re not on the court?

Well I’ve just had a baby, so at the moment I enjoy singing ‘the wheels on the bus go round and round’ a lot! I love taking my little boy swimming and dunking him in the pool which is always good fun, and just basically enjoying the first few months of my baby. I’ve made loads of new friends being a mum as well, so it’s been nice not being a badminton player, being able to switch off completely and be a mum!

3. What’s your favourite TV show?

It’s just absolutely brilliant. I love all that kind of stuff, I love my cheesy stuff as well, like Britain’s Next Top Model. I also love box sets like The Inbetweeners.

4. What essential item is always in your kit bag?

Paracetamol and my phone. I try and put an iPod in there as well. If I want to just switch off and get away from everything I stick my headphones in.

5. What was your experience of school sport like?

My school sport experience was fantastic, I loved everything. I did everything, tried everything, you name a sports team and I was in it! Hockey is probably my strongest memory and was the most influential sport on me at school.

Gail Emms was speaking ahead of the Sainsbury’s UK School Games which take place in Gateshead, Sunderland and Newcastle, September 2-5. For more information visit ukschoolgames.com

Faye White - football

1. If you weren’t a footballer what other sport would you choose?

Probably golf or javelin. When I was 14 I used to compete at district school level and throw it nearly 40 metres.

2. How do you like to spend your free time when you are not on the football field?

I like to go to the cinema and for a treat I sometimes go to the theatre.

3. What’s your favourite TV show?

I’m a big fan of Jack Bauer and 24, I was gutted when the last series finished as I know they are not making any more, I will have to now wait for the movie to come out. I’m also really getting into Cougar Town with Courtney Cox, it’s very funny!

4. What essential item is always in your kit bag?

My i-Phone. I have to listen to music before a match; it helps me to relax and gets me focused on the game.

5. What was your experience of school sport like?

I loved it. I used to do every sport going as I enjoyed them all. Rounders, sports day and of course football were my favourites, although me and my best friend had to force my P.E. teacher to start up a girls after-school football club at secondary school.

Natalie White - trail running

1. If you weren’t a trail runner, what other sport would you choose?

Either cycling or climbing/mountaineering, activities that require spending more time outdoors. These two sports require focus and challenge muscles in a different way, too.

2. How do you like to spend your free time when you are not on the trails?

Any free time is spent either mountain biking, climbing or taking the dog out walking and running. I find it really hard to sit for long, so I am pretty much on the move all the time!

3. What’s your favourite TV show?

Difficult one this, as you may be surprised to learn I don’t own a TV! When I do get to watch it, I enjoy Top Gear.

4. What essential item is always in your kit bag?

I’d say my Salomon SpeedCross shoes are essential. I run in all conditions, often when the ground is slippery underfoot. These shoes are light and have pronounced lugs which give great grip enabling me to change direction very quickly.

5. What was your experience of school sport like?

I was lucky as I always enjoyed sport and was quite good at it, especially running. I used to enjoy competing with the boys as they made me perform to my best potential. When it came to running, I often left the boys standing which was very satisfying!

Salomon, the mountain sports company, sponsors Natalie White. It was founded in 1947 in the French alps, since then, they’ve been creating innovative products to enhance the performance of athletes.

Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine