IT WAS golden success for 14 year old Emma Mason from Whirlwinds Academy, near Wellington, at the Coimbra Gym Fest, which was staged in Portugal.

Following Emma’s very successful 2024 competition season, at the beginning of 2025 Emma was successful in being invited onto the Great Britain’s Trampoline and Double Mini Trampoline squad which take place at British Gymnastics head quarters, Lilleshall. Due to the commitment and demand of being on two different squads she made the hard decision to only accept the trampoline squad due to it being an Olympic sport.

Emma had her first Great Britain call up in Trampoline in early July where she came away with an outstanding individual and team gold. Emma has also hit valid scores to be considered for the World Age Championships in Spain which takes place in November later in the year. She has one more competition, the British Championships which take place in early October to secure a space on the travelling team.

Emma’s lead coach Becky Richardson was thrilled with Emma’s success and travelled out to cheer her on from the audience. This was also Becky’s first gymnast to be selected for a Great Britain. Becky has coached Emma throughout her trampoline career and it has been great to see her develop into such a fine athlete.

Emma trains at Whirlwinds Academy which is based at Chelston Business Park which has been running successfully since 2004. It was founded by Jason Richardson who is now the club’s Performance Director.

Wirlwinds is an independent club run largely by volunteers. Its sessions provide a friendly and fun training environment and encourage new and experienced gymnasts alike to learn, to experience and achieve in a safe and fun manor. It is an ever-growing club with a good range of competitive and non-competitive gymnasts.