British Championships Debut for Sika Gymnast Niamh This Weekend

Coleraine will be tuning into the BBC with pride (and a touch of nerves) as 19-year-old gymnast Niamh McConnell takes to the floor at the British Championships in Liverpool. It’s more than a competition; it’s a pivotal step on her journey to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, and she’s carrying the hopes of the Sika Gymnastics Club and her local community with her.

Causeway Coast Women spoke with Niamh’s long-time coach, Mary Robinson, who’s been guiding her since she was just eight years old. 

“It’s been about eleven years now,” Mary shared. “Niamh trains twelve hours a week, split across four intensive three-hour sessions, while she also coaches other young gymnasts for 15 hours a week at Sika Gymnastics Club. 

“She’s incredibly hard-working,” says Mary. “She’s not just talented - she thrives on conditioning, which is what puts most off. During Covid, while others were dropping off, Niamh was doing home workouts and came back stronger.”

This is the first time Niamh has qualified for the British Championships, no small feat given Northern Ireland doesn’t host its own qualifying nationals. Instead, she competed in the Scottish Championships, where she ranked among the top all-around scorers and secured third place on the beam.

“She’s an all-rounder, but beam is where she really shines,” Mary explained. “And bars are probably her favourite.” 

Despite juggling her own training and coaching commitments, Niamh’s composure and maturity are what set her apart. 

“She has a different mindset. She’s focused, grounded, and sets a brilliant example for the younger girls at the club,” added her proud coach.

The journey hasn’t been overnight as Mary explained.

“The past two or three years have been a bit of a whirlwind. Niamh was selected for the Northern Europeans team and has been Northern Ireland’s highest-scoring gymnast at the last two championships.”

With a fourth-place finish at the Irish Nationals, the British Championships are the latest milestone in what’s shaping up to be a golden path.

“Getting to the British Championships is the first part of our qualification process for the Commonwealth Games. So, hopefully, we're one step closer to that goal.

Competing on Saturday at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, the arena is a sell-out, and the pressure is on. 

“It’s a great dry run for what it would be like at the Commonwealth Games,” says Mary. “The lights, the cameras, the crowd, it’s all part of the experience. The goal this weekend is to soak it all up.”

As for role models, Niamh looks up to Rebecca Andrade, the Brazilian powerhouse who’s battled back from multiple ACL injuries to become one of the world’s top gymnasts. 

“Rebecca shows that success doesn’t have to come by 16 years of age,” Mary reflects. “Gymnastics is finally getting older and that’s brilliant for athletes like Niamh.”

With the sport shifting to support longer careers and mature athletes, Niamh is stepping into her prime at just the right moment. 

Her performance this weekend might be her first appearance on the British Championship stage, but it certainly won’t be her last. 

With composure beyond her years and the drive to match, she’s not just chasing medals, she’s also inspiring the next generation to dream bigger and reach higher.

Niamh is in action this Saturday at 2.30pm in the second subdivision of the British Championships. The weekend’s events are live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.