A DISABLED Barnsley College student doesn’t let her physical restrictions stop her from following her dreams as she continues to earn acclaim and win awards as a gymnast.

Just a few months ago, 17-year-old Ellie Hardy took home the Yorkshire champion title for grade four disability acrobatic gymnastics at a competition at the Wakefield Gymnastics Club.

The Learning for Living and Work student - who lives with autism and sensory disorders - trains four times a week, having picked up the sport almost a decade ago when she was only eight.

Her mum, Pippa, told the Chronicle: “It completely changed her life to be honest.

“When she was younger she’d struggle to even walk around a supermarket - she just struggled that much with the sensory overload.

“Gymnastics really helped with that - she loves conditioning and doing things like sit-ups, it gave her sensory feedback in her muscles and gave her back control of her own body.

“She really enjoys it, even when it comes to competing where she gets to go out there and show off how good she is.

“There’s a brilliant team around her.

“Her coach is incredible, she’s got a real good balance of knowing when to help, when to step away and give her time to herself to sort out how she’s feeling, or when to give her a hug, wipe away the tears and let her go out onto the floor.”

In March 2023, Ellie qualified for the Disability Gymnastics British Finals where she and her partner secured third place in the country.

She now has more than 20 medals including two Yorkshire titles and eight gold medals, some of which were won at international competitions.

But beyond the successes, her mum says that pursuing accomplishment in the sport has helped her develop her own self confidence.

“She always struggled academically,” she added.

“As she got older she began to notice that she was different to her peers, she struggled in class and couldn’t sit still like her friends.

“We always celebrated her difference, and reminded her that it’s what makes her an amazing gymnast.”

For her continued success, Ellie has been nominated at this year’s Young Champions awards - something Pippa described as ‘ just incredible’.

“To me, she’s my little girl so she’s just amazing.

“But for other people to recognise how difficult it must be for her and how much she’s got over to get here is great.

“She’s just a lovely girl, who’s got a heart of gold as well as being an incredible gymnast.”