Add Your Vote and Help Them Bounce to the Top!
Two trampolining coaches from Hendon Leisure Centre – Carys Edwards and Minka Nikolova – have been jointly shortlisted for The Sunday Times ‘Grassroots Sportswomen of the Year’ Award.
The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in sport, from elite athletes to the people driving change in their communities. The ‘Grassroots’ category recognises women who are making sport more accessible, inclusive and enjoyable at a local level, often as volunteers giving up their own time.
Carys and Minka run Hendon Trampolining Club, working evenings and weekends to train the young club members and support them in competitions all round the country, often clocking-up 60-hour weeks. They were nominated for the award by a local parent for their dedication and hard work.
Carys has been running the club for thirteen years and competed in high level trampolining competitions herself as a child. During the day, she works in marketing and communications for a sports charity.
“I’m passionate about trampolining,” she says. “It can be scary – some people do somersaults and twists eight metres up in the air – but it makes people push past their fears which has a positive, knock-on effect in everyday life.
“We always say that we coach the child first – encouraging things like leadership and teamwork – before we focus on gymnastics skills.”
Although twelve of their gymnasts competed at elite level this year with four members selected to represent England, the club is open to any child of any background and ability including young people with SEND. Carys points out that studies have shown that jumping on a trampoline stimulates the brain in ways that can improve ADHD symptoms.
She adds that kids don’t have to be ‘good’ at the sport to join the club – they can just enjoy a gentle bounce if that’s what makes them happy.
Bulgarian-born Minka has been co-running the club for four years and works as a teaching assistant by day. Prior to this, she was a circus acrobat working in different countries in Europe and has represented Bulgaria as a trampolinist at both the European and the World Championships.
Minka has also passed on her love of the sport to her daughter Dana, aged 10, who also trains with the club
“Trampolining is exciting and challenging, both physically and mentally,” she explains. “Working as a coach gives me the opportunity to pass on my passion to young people.
“I was really chuffed to find out that we’d been nominated for this award. It’s wonderful that parents and families have noticed how much effort we put in. I’m also very grateful for the support of my family.”
Carys agrees. “It’s an absolute honour to have been put forward for this. It’s nice to know that we are valued and that people are behind us.”
The award winners will be decided by a public vote which is open until 7 December. Add your name to see Hendon’s finest bounce to the top!
Voting can be accessed via this link – https://times.formstack.com/forms/sundaytimessportswomenoftheyear2026
Hendon Leisure Centre is run by charitable social enterprise GLL under the ‘Better’ brand in partnership with the local authority. Supporting the wellbeing of local communities is an important part of the organisation’s ethos.
General Manager of Hendon Leisure Centre, Julian-Henry Baker, comments, “I couldn’t be prouder of Carys and Minka. Their passion, dedication, and commitment to developing young talent is truly inspiring.
“They go above and beyond to create opportunities for our gymnasts to grow, achieve and believe in themselves. To see their hard work recognised on a national stage is fantastic and so well-deserved. They are a real credit to Hendon Leisure Centre and the local community.”
