A young Belfast gymnast has made history after being selected for the elite 2026 Great Britain Women’s Artistic Development Squad.
Soley Laverty (11), who trains at Salto National Gymnastics Centre in Lisburn, is the first gymnast from Northern Ireland to be chosen for a GB women’s artistic squad in more than 20 years.
Her selection has been described as both an incredible achievement and a truly special moment by coaches at her club, who said the recognition follows an outstanding run of performances.
Salto chief executive Mandy McMaster said she was unbelievably proud of Soley and everything she has worked for, adding that it marks a major milestone for gymnastics in Northern Ireland.
“Over the past year, Soley has demonstrated exceptional progress, with her commitment, resilience and determination playing a pivotal role in reaching this milestone,” said Mandy.
“Soley first attended our summer scheme in 2018, when she was just four years old, and where her natural aptitude for gymnastics was quickly recognised.
“She subsequently joined our squad programme and has continued to develop to an outstanding level for her age.”
In March, Soley finished 13th All Around at the UK Aspire British Championships – the highest placing by a Northern Ireland gymnast at the Women’s British Artistic Gymnastics Championships in many years.
A Year 8 pupil at Strathearn School in east Belfast, she was also the only gymnast from Northern Ireland to qualify for the 2026 British Artistic Gymnastics Championships, the UK’s flagship event in the sport.
She is also the first local gymnast to reach the British Championships through the elite Excel pathway, and one of the youngest athletes from Northern Ireland ever to qualify for the competition.
Her GB squad call-up comes after a string of strong results, including a UK top 10 finish in the combined Excel 3 and FIG Development 3 rankings in 2025. In February, Soley also won the WAG Aspire Guest category at the 2026 Scottish Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
Soley’s gymnastics journey began with weekly visits to the gym to play on the trampolines when she was just three years old. She subsequently joined Salto’s summer scheme in 2018, where coaches quickly spotted her natural talent. From those early sessions, she progressed into the club’s squad programme and has continued to develop into one of the most promising young gymnasts in the region.
Mandy, a prominent figure in Irish gymnastics, was Northern Ireland’s first Commonwealth Games competitor and its first international brevet judge.
She continues to hold high-level judging roles in women’s artistic gymnastics, including for Gymnastics Ireland, while also nurturing several promising young gymnasts currently training at the gym.
Mandy said Soley’s success was also a reflection of the dedication of head coach David Carleton and the wider coaching team comprising international performance coach and two-time world team medallist Gina Popa-Dickson, WAG coach Aoibhinn Trainor and inspirational choreographer Annika Drennan of Ajendance NI.
She added: “This is just the beginning of what we believe will be an exciting journey for Soley. Everyone at Salto is unbelievably proud of what she has achieved so far.”
Soley Laverty with (L-R) Mandy McMaster (Salto CEO) and coaches Gina Popa-Dickson, David Carleton and Aoibhinn Trainor at Salto National Gymnastics Centre
Soley Laverty at Salto National Gymnastics Centre
Soley Laverty in action at the British Championships 2026
