Katherine’s Road to Trampoline Silver: Balancing Sport and Study

I'm studying A Levels in Maths, Chemistry and PE as well as an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)

I started doing gymnastics when I was about 4 or 5. I did lots of different sports when I was younger, but I always preferred gymnastics. When I was 7, I started trampoline and ended up loving it so much that I stopped gymnastics to focus on that instead. I started competing when I was 9 and have been doing it ever since, so I’ve been involved in the sport for around 10 years now.

I’m the current West Midlands Open Elite champion, which I won in October 2024. I competed for the West Midlands and came 3rd regionally in Level 4 Trampoline. Most recently, I placed second nationally and won English Silver in the 17+ age group.

I have faced challenges with injuries and trying to balance exams with my training. I never missed a training session during my GCSEs and made a revision timetable that I stuck to. Now I’m doing my A Levels, I have done the same thing. I use my breaks at college to study, as I have limited time in the evenings. The library at college is open until late during the week, which is really useful as I live a distance from the college and can’t go home before my training sessions, so I make the most of this time too.

My proudest moment so far has probably been winning English Silver in the 17+ category this month as part of the The English Trampoline and Double Mini Tramp Qualification, held at the University of Birmingham. 

I think I’d like to go into pharmacy after college, although I’m not 100% set on it yet. What I do know is that I want to do something that helps people.

When the weather’s nice, I like spending time in the courtyard, and my favourite place to study is the library.

I really like the feeling of independence that college gives me.

I really like Gracie Abrams and indie style music. I can’t wait for the summer so I can go to festivals.