The Manchester winger is as impressive building Lego as she is taking on defenders on the wing. Here, Hemp reveals her favourite builds, what you need to do to join her Lego club, and who she definitely won’t be asking for help…
If you could build one football stadium out of Lego, which stadium would you build?
I have actually built Camp Nou, the Barcelona Stadium, but it’s a retired product now! I’d probably say, for another one – it’s quite a rogue choice but it’s where I’m from – Carrow Road, Norwich. I’d love to do that one.
Did you enjoy playing with Lego as a child? Do you have a certain set that you remember and think that’s what got me hooked?
So, I first started [playing with Lego] in COVID. When I had it [COVID], I wanted to find things to do away from football because I couldn’t play, I couldn’t exercise and it was actually Lucy [Bronze] who gave me my first Lego set, which was a Ghostbuster’s car. I did that within a day even though it’s meant to take you quite a long time! A lot of hobbies I have usually pass after a while, but this has stuck with me.
Does Lego help you switch off from those high-pressured situations and help you relax?
Yes, I think it’s very therapeutic, especially coming back from training or a long day. It’s very relaxing, it helps me switch off and just focus on something else. I think it helps having a hobby away from football because then when you go back to football you can focus all your energy on that.
What is your favourite Lego set you have ever built?
I once built a piano, which if you play it, it plays the sounds if you connect it to an app on your phone and then it plays out of your phone, which is pretty cool! Or if you click the piano, it plays itself.
Have you ever been to Legoland?
No, I haven’t. Maybe when I was little, like when I was really, really small.
You’ll have to go back one day! Do you prefer building from instructions or building your own things?
I prefer instructions! I prefer when something is set out for me to follow. I help all of my friends make their Ikea flat packs because they’re like: ‘I don’t understand these instructions!’. I’m like: ‘Give it here!’
Which Lego theme do you like the best? Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lego Friends?
I really like the architecture ones, the buildings, because I’ve currently got this street going and they all connect together. It’s pretty cool!
Do you build it on your own or do you like to do it with other people?
No-one can touch my Lego! I mainly do it on my own, but it’s just because I follow step-by-step instructions. If people join in they will join at different points. But sometimes I get my friends to help.
Talking of friends, if you had to build a Lego set with a teammate, which teammate would you pick?
I wouldn’t’ pick Niamh [Charles]! I’ve tried to do Lego sets with her before and she’s very heavy handed. Because it’s very fragile, you’ve got to be very careful. I’m not sure, we’ve got to have a good connection for me to allow you into my Lego group.
What’s the most challenging build you’ve ever done?
Hogwarts Castle, there’s so many little pieces and figures!
How long did that take to complete?
A few weeks and it’s massive!
Have you ever taken apart a model because it’s gone wrong?
I’ve broken models before; I broke the Beauty and the Beast castle on the way back from the EUROs. I tried to put it back together, but it proved impossible.
If you could spend a day at Lego’s headquarters, what would you want to do?
I would create myself into a model, that would be cool!
If you had unlimited Lego bricks, what would be the first thing you’d build?
The Manchester City badge!
Have you ever stepped on a Lego brick?
Probably, when I was younger. I can imagine it must kill.
Finally, how long can you personally build Lego until you get bored and need to do something else?
I can do an hour and a half, two hours a day and then come back to it.
