By Jonathan Brown
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD gymnast Emily Hassard has continued her remarkable rise in the sport after qualifying for the 2027 British Gymnastics Championships.
The Cumran Primary School pupil secured her place through the British Gymnastics Excel Pathway at the UK National Development Finals in Stoke-on-Trent in May, becoming just the second gymnast from Northern Ireland to complete the prestigious junior pathway.
Emily, whose father Rodney represented Ireland at youth cricket level, will now compete at Aspire and Junior level at next year’s British Championships, where she will face some of the UK’s top 11, 12 and 13-year-old gymnasts at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena.
The latest milestone adds to an already impressive list of achievements for the talented Clough gymnast.
In November 2025, Emily made history as the first female gymnast from Northern Ireland to win an official British Gymnastics medal, claiming bronze in the all-around competition at the UK FIG Development National Finals.
A member of Salto Gymnastics Club since the age of six, Emily first joined the club after attending a talent identification day. Since then, she has progressed through the foundation, pre-excel and excel squads, developing skills more commonly associated with older gymnasts.
David Carleton, Head of Women’s Artistic Gymnastics at Salto Gymnastics Club, praised Emily’s achievements.
“To complete the Excel Pathway and qualify for the 2027 British Championships is something very few gymnasts ever accomplish, and to become only the second gymnast from Northern Ireland to do so makes it even more special,” he said.
David added: “Her bronze medal in the all-around competition at the FIG Development 2 National Finals, securing Northern Ireland’s first-ever medal at this level, was the reward for years of hard work, dedication, resilience and unwavering determination.
“This achievement is about much more than medals and scores. It reflects the commitment she has shown every day in the gym and the trust she has placed in her coaches throughout her journey. Seeing that hard work pay off on the national stage is an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved, and we are excited to see what the future holds for her.”
Emily, who will attend Down High School in September, trains five days a week while balancing her school commitments.
She lists the balance beam as her favourite apparatus and says she is “really excited” about the opportunity to compete at the British Championships.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue developing her skills and competing at British level and beyond.
Before taking to the floor at the British Championships next March, Emily will first turn her attention to the National FIG Finals in November as she continues her promising gymnastics journey.
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