Emily Hassard Completes Gymnastics Pathway Milestone at UK National Finals

Ten-year-old gymnast Emily Hassard, a member of the City of Salto Gymnastics Club in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, successfully completed the Excel 3 competition pathway in May. Her performance at the Excel 3 UK National Finals marked the conclusion of a rigorous developmental track designed to prepare young athletes for higher-level competitive gymnastics.

What Is the Excel Gymnastics Pathway?

The Excel program serves as a foundational competition structure within the United Kingdom, specifically tailored for gymnasts transitioning from recreational training to competitive regional and national circuits. According to British Gymnastics, the national governing body for the sport, the pathway is divided into progressive levels—Excel 1 through Excel 5—that standardize the skills required for vault, bars, beam, and floor exercises.

Completing the Excel 3 level indicates that an athlete has mastered specific technical benchmarks required to advance toward age-group competition. By finishing this stage, Hassard has demonstrated the physical conditioning and routine consistency necessary to move into more complex, optional-skill training environments.

How Does the City of Salto Gymnastics Club Support Development?

City of Salto, based in Lisburn, operates as a primary hub for gymnastics development in Northern Ireland. The club focuses on a structured progression system that aligns with the British Gymnastics competition framework. Gymnasts like Hassard typically train multiple hours per week, focusing on biomechanical precision and mental discipline.

The transition from regional qualifiers to the UK National Finals requires athletes to maintain high scoring averages in local competitions. Success at the national level serves as a primary indicator for coaches to identify athletes with the potential for elite-level development pathways, often leading to selection for regional squads or national talent identification programs.

Key Takeaways for Youth Gymnastics Progress

• Skill Progression: The Excel pathway provides a clear, objective roadmap for athletes to develop foundational skills before attempting advanced routines.
• National Competition: Participating in UK National Finals allows young gymnasts to gain experience in high-pressure environments against peers from across the country.
• Club Impact: Facilities like City of Salto provide the specialized equipment and coaching expertise required to meet the stringent technical standards set by British Gymnastics.

What Happens Next for Emerging Gymnasts?

Following the completion of the Excel 3 pathway, athletes typically progress to Excel 4 and 5, where the difficulty requirements increase significantly. Coaches often shift the focus toward increasing the “D-score” (difficulty score) of routines while maintaining the execution standards established in earlier levels. For many young athletes, this period is critical for building the strength-to-weight ratio needed to execute more advanced acrobatic elements safely.

The development of a gymnast is a multi-year process. As Hassard continues her training, the focus will likely remain on refining her technique and expanding her repertoire of skills to meet the demands of the next tier of national competition.