As an elite gymnast for Team GB, Ruby Stacey represented her country in September at the Paris World Cup, making the finals in both Balance Beam and Vault, but unfortunately, she picked up an injury during qualifications, which meant Ruby was unable to be part of the Vault final. Further World Cups for Ruby have included Doha, Mersin – where she qualified for her first Floor final, and Koper – where she won Bronze on the Uneven Bars. In 2021, Ruby became the Uneven Bars champion at the British Championships, also coming away with Bronze in the All-Around, and she made her senior international debut for Britain alongside Becky Downie and Georgia-Mae Fenton at the World Championships in Kitakyushu in the same year. Upcoming competitions for Ruby will be the English and British Championships, and hopefully further World Cups and other international competitions, and she continues with her training at Plymouth Swallows Gymnastics Club. Ruby answered our questions about competing at the Paris World Cup in September last year, becoming the Uneven Bars champion at the British Championships in 2021 and making her senior international debut for Team GB at the 2021 World Championships in Kitakyushu.
In September, you competed at the Paris World Cup, which saw you qualify for both the Balance Beam and Vault finals, what was the competition like to be part of?
It was one of my favourite competitions to be a part of. The atmosphere and crowd were amazing and knowing that this is where the Olympics will be held made it even more special!
Having picked up an injury during qualifications which led to you unfortunately having to withdraw from the Vault final, how was it preparing for and competing in the Beam final?
I was obviously disappointed knowing I couldn’t compete on Vault but there was a quick turnaround so I didn’t have much time to think it all through. I just tried to stay focused on the positives.
What did you enjoy most about representing Team GB in Paris and competing at another World Cup?
Meeting gymnasts from all over the world and experiencing all types of gym and equipment.
You were on the British team at the Doha World Cup in March, how was your time in Qatar?
Qatar was amazing, the gym, the people, the location – all of it!
How was it qualifying for your first Floor final at the Mersin World Cup and winning Bronze on the Uneven Bars at the Koper World Cup in 2022?
Floor has never been my strong piece so to make it on Floor, I was very happy! Winning a Bronze on Bars at my first World Cup was one of the best feelings knowing there is still more to come.
What is it like competing at the British Championships, and how did you feel becoming the Uneven Bars champion and All-Around Bronze medallist in 2021?
It was the first British back after the lockdown, so getting routines and fitness back was quite challenging after such a long time off, but after doing clean and successful routines, it showed that my work in lockdown paid off.
How did you find the experience representing Team GB at the 2021 World Championships in Kitakyushu alongside your British teammates Becky Downie and Georgia-Mae Fenton?
This is still my favourite competition to this day! Being with two experienced gymnasts guiding me through the competition definitely helped a lot and it felt amazing to be competing with them.
How was it having the World Championships as your senior international debut and what are some of your favourite memories from competing in Japan?
It was such a good senior debut, to have it in such a cool country felt amazing and the atmosphere was very different to most – it was a lot quieter as it was still during COVID. I would say my favourite memory was just watching all of the gymnasts in the finals after my competitions had finished and I just got to take it all in.
Do you have a favourite aspect of being an elite gymnast for Great Britain?
My favourite part is 100% travelling to new countries and meeting international gymnasts, I feel very grateful for this opportunity and hope to still experience more in the future.
Where does your love of gymnastics come from and how did you get into it?
When I was younger, it was my preschool teacher that suggested to my parents that I start gymnastics, I wouldn’t stop climbing up things and they told them I had too much energy which I needed to burn! No one from my family is extremely sporty or had ever done gymnastics!
Can you tell us about your typical training day at Plymouth Swallows Gymnastics Club?
I usually train five days a week around 24/26 hours. I usually start in the afternoon when it’s quieter so we can focus on the harder skills, then the rest of my group will come in and we usually start with conditioning and preps then on to pieces, then more conditioning at the end. Some days after training we will go the strength and conditioning gym too!
Did you have any favourite gymnasts to watch when growing up and have you been given any advice throughout your time as a gymnast so far that has stuck with you?
I remember going to the World Championships in 2015 where I loved watching everyone compete, I was running around trying to get everyone’s signatures – I don’t think I can pick a favourite! My favourite coach or “advice“ is she believed she could so she did, you have to believe in yourself to achieve your goals!
How do you like to spend your time away from the gym?
Definitely shopping! And I’m currently doing an apprenticeship with Optimum Coaching and Education learning to be a sports coach! So either catching up with work or planning lessons!
Do you have any competitions coming up that you can tell us about or that you are targeting?
Coming up is the English and British Championships and hopefully some World Cups or more internationals, nothing is set in place so we will have to see!
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