By competing in the sub-junior international section, Rolls is eligible for national teams who travel overseas, something she said she would love to do.
Athletes showcase their top eight moves in a “pass”, where they tumble and flip down a long and narrow springy mat.
Gisborne Trampoline Club head coach Doug Callahan said it didn’t take long to identify Rolls’ skill when she took up the sport less than two years ago.
“She has a lot of promise. . . she’s the first one in Gisborne on my floor to do a double back somersault.”
With a background in gymnastics, Rolls has had a headstart on some of her peers.
She competes in both trampoline and gymnastics, sometimes doing several hours of training a day across the disciplines.
She trains four days a week at the trampoline club gym at Electrinet Sport Centre where Gisborne Gymnastics Club is also based.
Rolls finished third in her recent event after a tough final pass and exceeded her goal.
“It was my first time doing those passes . . . there’s lots of relief that comes when you’ve done them.”
She was content with third but expects to do “a lot better” at the next competition in February.
The young talent has the promise to travel the world competing in trampoline events, but she needs to put her mind to it, says Callahan.
For now, Rolls is content with what she’s doing.
She enjoys trampolining and gymnastics and has no immediate plans to pick one over the other.
“One day I’m going to have to choose.”
