Northampton trampolinists prepare for world championships

Two trampolinists from the same club will be taking part in this month's world championships.

Andrew Stamp and Ellie Vassel train at Northampton Trampoline Gymnastic Academy (NTGA).

Vassel, 17, will be competing against gymnasts who are up to four years older than her.

Stamp made history in last year's championships when he recorded the highest placed finish for a British man in the Olympic era, ranking fourth.

He fits in about 30 hours of training each week, while also studying for a degree in biological sciences.

"Sometimes from first place to eighth place in the final, the margins are ridiculously small," said Stamp who will be competing in his third senior world event.

"But you've just got to focus on you, what you're doing, produce the best outcome that you can get."

Vassel is making her first appearance in the 17-21 age group and said: "I think I've got a good chance. My training and my preparation's been going really well so I'm just excited to be going out now and showing my routines."

The NGTA has a strong track record of involvement in international competition. One of its coaches, Tracey Whittaker-Smith MBE, helped Bryony Page become the first British trampolinist to win an Olympic medal.

Both Stamp and Vassel are coached by Harvey Smith, who said: "For Ellie, it's been fantastic training alongside Andrew.

"Andrew is a gymnast who, from day one, has done everything he needed to do, from his technical training to his gym work, and doing conditioning or strength work.

"He's just a great example of what it takes to be the best."

The World Trampoline Championships get under way on 9 November at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham.

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