Bio
How I Started
I started trampolining when I was 7. I started because my sister did trampolining, so my mum thought it would be good for me to try it too (although apparently I wasn’t particularly keen). I worked my way up to National level before pushing for a junior world championships in 2015. I started double mini trampoline (DMT) when I was 13. I quickly progressed in this discipline, and fell in love with its high-adrenaline nature and fast pace.
My Greatest Achievement
My greatest achievement is becoming 2018 senior European Champion. I was in shock when it happened- I still can’t believe it today! The field of girls I was competing against was so strong, but my goal was to push for a medal. I remember lining up to compete in the final after a successful preliminary round, thinking ‘come on Kirsty, just do what you do in training and see what happens’. Little did I know I’d stick both of my passes in the box and go on to win the gold. I remember the whole crowd erupted when my name appeared on the score board in first place. It’s a sensation that I can’t quite put into words.
My Greatest Challenge
In 2018 I sustained a knee injury after returning from the World championships in Russia. Doctors and physios were unable to detect what the injury was and I was told to ‘train through the pain’. I couldn’t understand how I could be in so much pain, yet I was told to just ignore it. At this point I started to challenge my mental toughness and resilience. After multiple MRIs, doctors finally realised I had torn my meniscus (cartilage) and I went on to have surgery. I was relieved to know that it wasn’t just a ‘psychological injury’ and that I’m tough enough to conquer any pain if I set my mind to it. 5 months after surgery I qualified for the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo, a competition that I’d set quite ambitious goals for. However, when competing in the final, I sustained a very nasty ankle injury which, again, doctors were not able to identify. I spent months, again, battling this thought that my injury wasn’t ‘real’, only to then be told that my injury is so rare that it had only ever been reported in research 5 times. Having to go through this process twice with a huge challenge, but in the long run I believe it has made me a stronger gymnast.
My Hobbies
In my spare time I love to surf. I am lucky enough to live by the coast, so whenever I have some free time you will find me by the beach. I love anything in the water, especially paddle-boarding and ringo-ing. My favourite food is a tricky one, but I think I’ll have to say mango. Random, I know, but when you get the perfectly ripe mango, there’s nothing that can beat it except possibly a glass of chocolate milk!
My Future Goals
I have separate goals for my sport and my career.
As for my career, I am in the process of competing my MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public health. One day I hope to work in the public health field to help the nation adopt a healthier lifestyle.
As for my sport, my main goal is to become world champion! I hope to one day be stood on that podium, on the world-stage, singing the national anthem, knowing that I worked my socks off to be the best Double Mini Trampoline gymnast in the world!
