
Gymnast leaps back with Bernicia grant
A North East charitable foundation is helping a young athlete get back on her feet after injury and continue chasing her Olympic dreams.
The Bernicia Foundation has awarded a £1000 Inspiration Grant to 16-year-old gymnast Billie Netherton from The City of Newcastle Gymnastics Academy, supporting her recovery and return to elite competition.
Billie, who trains under her mother and coach Kerry Scott, has competed at English and British Championships and represented England at international events, with sights firmly set on future Olympic success.
After suffering a serious ankle injury in October 2023 that required surgery, Billie has spent months rebuilding her strength through a mix of rehab, physio and modified training.
The grant has helped ease financial pressures by covering travel, specialist coaching and rehabilitation costs as she continues her comeback.
Kerry said: “It was heartbreaking seeing Billie go through her injury and return to the gym.
“Gymnastics has been at the heart of our lives for 14 years, and the injury threatened to derail her dream of becoming a senior gymnast.
“The financial and emotional costs, specialist surgeons, travel, daily rehab, have been immense.
“This grant has given us a much-needed breather from the financial pressures of high-performance sport.
“Knowing that camp or competition costs are covered means so much.
“As a family, we feel supported and understood, it truly takes a village to raise a child.”
Billie added: “The time between injury and surgery was the toughest.
“Choosing surgery was the turning point.
“My passion and goals, to make the GB squad, win British medals, and excel as a vaulter and bar worker, keep me motivated to follow my rehab plan diligently.
“I have milestones to meet to progress through my rehab phases, and by March 2026, I aim to be back to ‘crazy gymnastics,’ as my surgeon calls it.
“From there, I plan to be competition-ready and aim for squad selections."
“I have milestones to meet to progress through my rehab phases, and by March 2026, I aim to be back to ‘crazy gymnastics,’ as my surgeon calls it.
“From there, I plan to be competition-ready and aim for squad selections.”
The funding forms part of the Bernicia Foundation’s mission to empower young people across the North East through its Inspiration Grants programme, which supports aspiring athletes, artists and innovators facing financial barriers to success.
Applications for the next round of funding open on November 17 via the Bernicia Foundation website.
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