User:Ssamps

Stephen John Sampson (born February 25, 1988) is a British Trampoline gymnast and judge.

Early life
Steve was born in Portsmouth and grew up in the near-by town of Fareham with his parents and 3 siblings. Steve left school with 12 GCSEs, graded A*-C. Whilst at school, Steve was identified as having potential in a gymnastics class and the head of the P.E. department advised Steve to attend Trampoline lessons. Steve started to trampoline and when aged 13 started to search the area for clubs which enabled him to both improve his skills and enter competitions.

Early Trampoline Career
After several months of looking and asking various sources, Steve was invited to trial for a place on the Trampoline squad at Pitt Street Gymnastics Club. Steve started competing on the grading circuit, debuting in 2003. Steve quickly rose through the ranks from Grade 4 to Grade 1 in time for the start of the 2004 competition season. This rapid rise was however too quick and Steve was vastly outclassed at Grade 1, but managed to just scrape the score required to maintain his start at grade 1 for the 2005 season. During this time, his coach at the time left his position at Pitt Street to set up his own club, Portsmouth High Flyers. At the end of the competition season, Steve started attending Taunton's College, Southampton.

Injury
During pre-season training, Steve broke his humerus. This injury would lead to two operations and life-long inability to fully straighten his arm. Steve left Portsmouth High Flyers immediately and joined Southampton Trampoline Club with coach Howard Tear.

Southampton Trampoline Club
Steve was in cast for 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks physiotherapy. Throughout his injury he was determined to get back on the trampoline. He missed the whole of the grade 1 season and was forced to re-qualify from a grade 2 event. Steve came back in style, and came 3rd at the next grade 1 in the under 19 age group. Steve continued to train with Howard until he got a job in Dorset which forced him to move and left him unable to commute to Southampton to train. At this point there was an amicable transfer to OLGA, Poole.

OLGA Gymnastics Club
Steve continues to train at OLGA and now competes at FIG A. Since moving to OLGA, Steve has learned several high difficulty skills including several triple somersaults. Steve currently holds the Zonal judge award and is training as both a judge tutor and as the South West region trampoline judge co-ordinator.

Personal life
Steve attended the University of Portsmouth as part of his apprenticeship where he qualified with a Foundation Degree in Engineering. Steve now lives in Poole, Dorset where he owns a house.

 Category:1988 births Category:Living people