Two gymnasts from Yate will take to the global stage this autumn after being selected to represent Great Britain at the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in Italy.
Local training, international spotlight
Shayla McCaughy and Kimmi Chilcott, both members of King Edmund Acrobatic Gymnastics Club, have secured places on the national team following a period of intensive training and competition. Their selection is the culmination of years of work with coaches Shanie-Redd Newman and Maiken Perkins, and marks a significant moment for Yate’s tight-knit gymnastics community.
The club’s choreography team at the Yate International Gymnastics Centre also played an important role in preparing the pair’s routines, reflecting the collaborative effort behind elite acrobatic performance. The World Championships, taking place in Italy in September, will bring together the best pairs and groups from across the globe.
Community pride and wider recognition
The selection has sparked pride across King Edmund and the town. The club has publicly thanked the parents of the gymnasts for their ongoing support — travelling to sessions and competitions and helping sustain the many hours of training required to reach this level.
To have Shayla and Kimmi selected to represent Great Britain at the World Championships, alongside Esme and Ruby being named as Senior Women’s Pair non-travelling reserves, is an incredible achievement for our club.
The comment, attributed to coach Maiken Perkins, continued to praise the gymnasts’ commitment, resilience and determination, and celebrated the inclusion of two other club members, Esme Mathias and Ruby Wyatt, who have been named as non-travelling reserves for the Senior Women’s Pair squad. Their presence on the reserves list underlines the depth of talent developing at King Edmund.
- Representing Great Britain: Shayla McCaughy and Kimmi Chilcott
- Coaches: Shanie-Redd Newman and Maiken Perkins
- Venue for preparation: Yate International Gymnastics Centre
- Non-travelling reserves: Esme Mathias and Ruby Wyatt
What this means for Yate
For a town of Yate’s size, international sporting representation brings visibility and encouragement for younger athletes. King Edmund’s success provides a tangible pathway for local children and teenagers who train at community clubs and aspire to higher levels of competition. It also highlights the importance of local facilities such as the Yate International Gymnastics Centre in nurturing talent.
Club leaders have described the selection as a shared achievement. Coaches, choreographers, parents and fellow gymnasts have contributed to the environment that allowed McCaughy and Chilcott to progress to the national stage. The club says the whole Yate gymnastics community will be backing the pair as they travel to Italy.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships |
| When | September (in Italy) |
| Selected athletes | Shayla McCaughy, Kimmi Chilcott |
| Non-travelling reserves | Esme Mathias, Ruby Wyatt |
| Club | King Edmund Acrobatic Gymnastics Club (Yate) |
As the countdown to September begins, the focus for Yate’s gymnasts will be on fine-tuning routines and maintaining the fitness and composure required at world level. For the town’s residents, neighbours and fellow athletes, the achievement serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished when local clubs, committed coaches and supportive families work together.
King Edmund’s representation at the World Championships is not only a source of local celebration but also an invitation for others in Yate to engage with grassroots sport — whether through participation, volunteering or cheering from the stands.
