by Jenni Horn

Olympic hopeful Kat Driscoll will have her old coach cheering her on when she competes at the Games today.

The 26-year-old trampolining star, who grew up in Walderslade, is inspiring a generation of young trampolinists at her former club, where she has become a hero.

The former Rochester Grammar School pupil learned to trampoline at Lordswood Leisure Centre in Chatham, before moving to Gillingham Jumpers, next to the Black Lion Leisure Centre.

Her former coach at Jumpers, Martin Laws, along with several other members of the club, will be there to cheer Kat on when she competes at the North Greenwich Arena from 2pm.

Fellow coach Liz Laws, who is a Games volunteer, said: “There is a real buzz at the club. All the members are talking about Kat, she’s their hero at the moment.”

Kat got her first taste for trampolining at a summer camp and went on to join the Lordswood Leapers. As she continued to excel at the sport, she moved on to Gillingham Jumpers and got the chance to represent Great Britain at a junior level.

Liz said: “Kat has always been very dedicated to her sport. She has worked jolly hard and deserves to do well. Everyone at Jumpers wishes her the best of luck.”

Kat’s parents Mike and Pam, who live in Dargets Road, Walderslade, will also be in the crowd - but Pam might miss her daughter’s big moment.

Mike said: “My wife will be a bag of nerves. She will sit in the arena with her face in her hands and won’t be able to watch.”

Tune into to watch Kat at 2pm. The qualification round will be followed by the finals at about 3.30pm.