GCU Trampolining looking to reach new heights thanks to Scottish Student Sport
GCU Students’ Association’s Trampolining Club are looking to attract new members after being gifted two brand new Eurotramp Trampolines.
Scottish Student Sport reached out to club captain Gemma Miller in October with the generous offer of helping upgrade their current equipment.
“It was obviously something we were never going to knock back, especially when we didn’t have to pay for something that costs such a huge amount of money,” explained Gemma.
“We’re just unbelievably grateful. We absolutely love our two older trampolines, but they’re very different to the type we use at competitions. It was important for us to get new equipment and provide members with the opportunity to practice on trampolines with better quality. It also helps us improve our skills because the newer trampolines have more springs and allow us to go higher.”
Gemma, who’s a second year BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science student, explained how the club has grown in recent years and will continue to develop in the years to come.
She said: “Another benefit of the new trampolines is that we can support more members. We would be pretty much reaching membership capacity if we didn’t have them but now we can probably take up to 30 students in total, which is double what we currently have.
“We’re really pushing for more people to come along and join us at our training sessions on a Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning. We just want to get the message out there that anyone is welcome.”
Having joined when she first started studying at GCU, Gemma is well aware of the different benefits the Trampoline Club can bring to students.
“I’m from Livingston originally and was quite worried about not making friends at University. I was previously a member of West Lothian Artistic Gymnastics, but I was one of those children that loved going on the trampoline in my garden.
“I decided to get involved with the club when I first came to GCU and just fell in love with the sport. It’s been a great way for me to meet friends and stay active.
“I’ve also had the opportunity to progress within the club. When I first started I was at intermediate level, which is the third lowest. I’m now at the second highest, which basically shows that I’m performing more complex moves. My confidence has definitely increased.”
As well as having the opportunity to take part in weekly training sessions, Gemma and the rest of the club also compete at local and international level.
“There’s two competitions that we’re mainly involved in,” explained Gemma.
“There’s a league where we compete against all the Universities that have a trampoline club, which is actually a lot more than you’d think. It’s a great way to learn and improve, but also to make friends with other students from the different Universities.
“We also take part in SISTO and ISTO, which is the Scottish and Irish Student Trampoline Open. They involve Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales and Germany. We all compete together over a weekend and it’s great fun!”
Gemma added: “There is definitely a proper community within trampolining and it would be great for more students at GCU to experience it.”
Fancy getting involved with the Trampoline Club? Find out more on the GCU Students’ Association Website or give them a follow on Instagram
By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter