Harrogate Gymnastics Georgina Gibson awarded US Scholarship

Georgina Gibson, 19, who has trained at Harrogate Gymnastics for the past decade, has been awarded a multi-year athletic scholarship to study and compete at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA).

She will study kinesiology while continuing her career in women’s artistic gymnastics in the United States.

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Georgina said: “I feel so honoured to receive a full scholarship to compete in the sport I have loved since I was five.

“Some people might feel nervous about moving to the other side of the world, especially somewhere as cold as Alaska, but there is no place I would rather choose.

“It feels like the perfect fit, not only because of the scenery, but because of the culture of the gymnastics team and the university’s academic reputation.

“When I first set out to achieve this goal three years ago, it felt like an enormous task, but I was never told I couldn’t do it. I was shown that it was possible if I was willing to work hard.”

Georgina began gymnastics at age five and joined Harrogate Gymnastics in 2016 – competing twice at the British Championships and five times at the English Championships, alongside training 20 hours a week.

Her parents, Richard and Hayley Gibson, said they are ‘truly proud of what Georgina has achieved’.

They said: “Her journey in gymnastics, like so many, has been a mixture of cheers and tears, but the one constant has been her determination to succeed.

“We knew selection would be tough and that very few places would be available for British gymnasts, but Georgina simply never gave up.

“In typical G style, she managed to secure an offer from the university she had chosen as her number one choice. Although we will miss her, we are so excited for what lies ahead.”

“We would also like to thank Chloe Carey and all the coaches at Harrogate Gymnastics for the dedication they have shown and the environment they have created.

“Since joining the club in 2016, Georgina has never once said she did not want to go to training. That says everything about the club’s culture.”

Chloe Carey, founder of Harrogate Gymnastics, said: “We are incredibly proud of Georgina. This scholarship is a fantastic achievement and reflects years of hard work, commitment and passion for the sport.

“To see a gymnast who has trained with us for 10 years preparing to continue her gymnastics career in Alaska is something the whole club can celebrate. It is a huge step for Georgina, both academically and athletically, and we are excited to see what she goes on to achieve.”

Georgina credits much of her success to the support of coaches, friends, and family, adding: “There is no club I would rather have grown up in and I will always be grateful for everything Harrogate Gymnastics has given me.”

Georgina is due to depart for the US next Sunday (August 16).