Northampton Trampoline Academy trio selected to represent Great Britain in China
Three gymnasts who train in Northampton have been selected to represent Great Britain at the 2026 Trampoline World Age Group Competitions in Nanjing in China.
Keir Davidson, Ellie Vassel and Isla-Belle Trimble, who compete for the Northamptonshire Trampoline Gymnastics Academy (NTGA), will compete from November 12-15.
Their selection was announced by British Gymnastics alongside the senior World Championships team.
Nanjing will host the senior competition before welcoming the Junior World Championships and World Age Group Competitions later in November.
It marks the events’ first return to East Asia since Tokyo in 2019, adding an exciting international adventure to an already special opportunity for the Northampton trio.
NTGA's managing director Harvey Smith said: “We are extremely proud of Keir, Ellie and Isla-Belle on their selection for Great Britain. Congratulations also to their families and the NTGA coaching team, who have played such an important part in helping them get here.
“All three should approach this opportunity knowing they have fully earned their places and are ready to mix it with the world’s best in their age groups. Competing in China adds an extra level of excitement, and I know they will relish the experience, with everyone back home cheering them on.”
Trimble started in NTGA’s pre-school programme and has progressed through the club’s competitive pathway to earn her place in the Women’s 13–14 GB team.
Her selection follows two podium finishes at the national finals in Telford earlier this month.
She won bronze in the Women’s 13–14 National Age Group Finals before taking silver in the Women’s Junior British Championships.
Vassel will compete in the Women’s 17–21 event, making her fourth World Age Group appearance.
A former British champion at junior level, Vassel has represented Great Britain at European and world events.
At last year’s World Age Group Competitions in Pamplona, Spain, she finished fifth in the Women’s 17–21 final.
Davidson will also make his fourth World Age Group appearance, competing in the Men’s 17–21 event.
Davidson moved from Scotland to Northampton to train at NTGA and further his ambitions of representing Great Britain. He now lives, works and trains locally.
His selection follows a strong domestic season. He won the Scottish Senior Men’s trampoline title in September and followed it with silver in the Senior Men’s British Championships in Telford earlier this month.
Based at Benham Sports Centre in Moulton Park, NTGA provides trampoline and gymnastics opportunities from pre-school and beginner sessions through to national and international competition.
The club has a proud history of international success, developing World and European medallists alongside Olympian Jaime Halsey, who represented Team GB at Sydney 2000, becoming Britain’s first female Olympic trampolinist.