At the Murray Sharp Foundation, supporting our athletes isn’t just about celebrating the wins; it’s about backing them through the ups and downs, the hard training sessions, and the setbacks that ultimately make champions.
Today, we’re proud to share an update on elite gymnast Isla Carse, showing true resilience and heart as she sets her sights on the future!
The late 2025 and early 2026 season was a whirlwind for Isla. She threw herself into the Commonwealth Games pathway, taking part in focused training sessions, specialised focus groups, and intense national competitions.
Just one day before flying out to the Welsh Championships, a critical qualifying event, illness struck, forcing her to miss both the Welsh and Scottish Championships.
Despite missing out on vital points, Isla showed incredible mental strength. She fought back to compete on the national stage at both the British Championships and the Home Nations event at Lilleshall. While missing the earlier qualifiers ultimately kept her out of the final selection scores for this cycle, her composure, bravery, and determination under pressure proved the elite calibre of athlete she is.
In gymnastics, April through October is known as Upgrade Season, the high-intensity period where gymnasts push their physical limits to master higher-difficulty skills for the upcoming competition cycle.
Isla hasn’t let past setbacks slow her down for a second. She is currently working relentlessly in the gym, focusing on exciting new skills for an action-packed upcoming schedule:
Every setback is just a setup for a comeback. Isla’s ultimate dream remains locked on representing Scotland at the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, India, and we could not be prouder to stand behind her every step of the way.
From funding crucial training camps, accommodation, and high-performance equipment to supporting her international competition travel, the Murray Sharp Foundation is honoured to play a part in her journey.
