Bristol boy, 11, dreams of being Olympic champion after trampolining success

A boy from Bristol dreams of being an Olympic champion after winning multiple trampolining medals in just a few years.      

Harvey Purnell, 11, from Knowle West, has been trampoline training for just over three years after teaching himself different flips and tricks at home.    

Since then, he has competed in several competitions and is currently national champion for his age and level.   

This year, he will be competing in the British qualifiers with hopes to compete in the British Championships final.   

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“I like trampolining because it’s really fun, competitive and skillful. It makes me feel really great and happy,” Harvey said.    

The young trampolinist trains up to three times a week at Axis Trampoline & Gymnastics Club with coach Simon Chick.     

Harvey entered his first regional competition two years ago, winning gold and making it through to the regional finals which he won.

The youngster was then picked to represent the South West in the Inter-Regional Challenge Cup Final in Sheffield, where he came fourth out of 21 children from all over the UK.     

Last year, he entered the regional heats at a higher level and he also competed in the National League and English championships.   

Harvey’s mum, Amy Gardiner, said she is “so proud” of her son.

“With him being autistic, it shows that even with that, he still put his mind to it and can still achieve," she said.   

“He absolutely loves it, his goal is to be in the Olympics and coach other children to do what he’s done. He’s definitely got a good life goal ahead of him.”    

Step-dad Jim House added that Harvey’s achievements make him “speechless”.    

“He’s an inspiration for so many kids, and as parents, we’re so, so, so proud of him," he said. "We tell him all the time the sky’s the limit.”