A trampoline athlete from Poole has his sights set on the European stage as he looks to take to the skies at the European Championship trials in February.
Jared Smith, a trampolinist from Poole Gymnastics and Trampoline Club, will take part in a double-legged trial for his first European Championship competition, concluding the trial on Feb.15.
“I’m very excited going into this.” Smith told BUzz news. “It will be such a great opportunity for me to fly out there, at Europeans, my first Europeans, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Im quite focused going into the trials. I’ve been working really hard so I’m quite excited to put out what I’ve been training.”
Smith, who competed at his first world age group competition in 2025, has said he is excited to replicate his previous success in his upcoming competitions.
“In 2025 I had the amazing opportunity to go to my first world age championships and I managed to finish 14th in the world and I’m looking to hopefully replicate that in the upcoming European trials and championships upon selection.
“There’s nerves, there’s obviously nerves but the kind of nerves that are gonna push me to do better do not hold me back.”
Having started his journey at Brentwood Trampoline Club, prior to moving to Poole, Smith has long since dedicated his day-to-day life with the goal of being a top athlete and his efforts are being noticed by his teammates.
“I train six days a week, two of those days I’m doing strength and conditioning in the gym, but the rest of the four I’m on the trampoline itself,” Smith said.
“On the trampoline it’s very much controlled. I go in there, do my routines, obviously warm up but I have to be careful of intensity load.
“I don’t want to overdo it but I don’t want to under do it. I need the optimal amount of training balance.
“Going into the trials, I’ve been watching what I do, not doing too much but keeping training consistent.
“Nutrition wise, I have to keep very consistent, especially leading up to competition. I don’t want to change anything in my diet drastically the week before, that’s a bad idea.”
To get to the Championships in Portugal, Smith has to secure one of the 17-21 age group spots, something that his teammate and Team GB athlete Ryan Brown has said is within his grasp.
“[he] has been training really well at the moment, he’s looking really strong and in a good place with his routines,” Brown said.
“I think he is in a good position to secure one of the 17-21 age group spots at the Championships. I am looking forward to watching his progress throughout this year and in the lead up to the Championships.
“He is going to do really good.”
Smith cited his dedication to the sport as to why he is gaining such fast momentum and progression leading up to the European stage.
“Key qualities are determination and consistency,” Smith said.
“You won’t always have the success, you’ll have a little injury to go through or something else that will try and bring you down, but having the determination to push through and be a good gymnast is really key.”
The European Championship trials take place on the weekend starting Jan. 31 and will conclude on the weekend of Feb 14 to 15.
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