Sheffield Trampolining Academy is a competitive club based at Hillsborough Leisure Centre, welcoming gymnasts from the age of six right through to their 20s. Members regularly represent Yorkshire and even compete at the British Championships. Olympic silver medallist Bryony Page even trained at the club!

Why trampolining is a sport for everyone

For 12-year-old Will Hopkins, trampolining is about much more than medals: “It’s good for your body and keeps you healthy. At football, it’s all the same age and gender but here there’s a big variety of people. Some are 20, some much younger, and it’s good that it’s all different. It’s an individual sport, but you train together, help each other and get used to being in groups.”

Designing their Pride of Yorkshire cub

When asked about helping design the club’s Pride of Yorkshire cub, Will’s face lights up: “I think I’m a good artist. I like drawing and doing cartoons. I remember when I was little, I went round town with my grandad and took pictures with all the elephants. I’d feel proud to know I’m a part of it. Not many people get the chance, so it’s really special. I’m lucky.”

Why Sheffield Trampoline Academy is supporting Pride of Yorkshire

For Head Coach Matt Pierre, supporting Sheffield Children’s Hospital through the trail was an easy decision:

“Our club is a community club. We like to build good relationships between the gymnasts, the coaches, the parents and the volunteers. Speaking to a lot of families, they all have stories about Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Everything they’ve said has always been glowing. So anything we can do to give back, we’re happy to jump on board.”

Sheffield Trampoline Academy gets creative to raise money

The club already has big plans for their cub:

• All hands on deck: from deciding the design to the final brushstrokes, everyone will be involved.
• A creative twist: their last trail sculpture, a penguin, wore a trampolining leotard. Could a leotard-clad lion be next?
• Fundraising fun: from big activity days to family fundraising, the club is bouncing with ideas.

Matt adds: “We’re really excited to see our lion cub on the trail. I’m sure lots of people connected to the club will be looking forward to going out and finding it!”

Sheffield Trampoline Academy hopes their story will inspire other groups to get involved too. You do not have to be an arts organisation or full of creatives to take part. The Pride of Yorkshire trail is about community spirit, imagination and celebrating Yorkshire together.

About Sponsoring the Pride of Yorkshire

Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity has set an ambitious £2.8 million fundraising target for the Pride of Yorkshire campaign, with funds raised earmarked to support cutting-edge research, vital new equipment and creative therapeutic projects for young patients.

We’re now on the lookout for schools and community groups right across South Yorkshire to support the Pride of Yorkshire campaign. By sponsoring a lion cub sculpture, you get to design a cub that will be seen by thousands on the Pride of Yorkshire Trail next Summer, before taking it back to your school or group at the end as a permanent reminder of your creativity and contribution.

Key Dates for Community Groups:

December 2025: Deadline to register to adopt a Pride of Yorkshire cub.

January 2026: Schools and community groups will receive their cubs and can start designing, painting and personalising!

April 2026: Return your trail-ready cub to Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity as they add the final touches to ready it to go out into the wild.

June-September 2026: Pride of Yorkshire takes to the streets of South Yorkshire.

October 2026: Farewell event and auction of full sized Lion and Lioness sculptures, and cubs are returned to their forever homes.

Find out how you can get involved here.

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Pride of Yorkshire will run from June 2026 – September 2026 across South Yorkshire. Watch this space for more information, how to get involved and support and for artists announcements on our website.

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