Success does not come without hard work and dedication – something trampoline gymnast Zainub Akbar is well aware of as she seeks a successful second half to the year.

Six months ago, the 20-year-old left her home in Cardiff to move to Northampton and train more closely alongside the Great Britain set up.

During that time she has balanced training with her university studies, as she continues her politics degree at Cardiff remotely.

But the hard work is paying off with Akbar qualifying for this September’s British National Championships in September, where she will take on some of the country’s best trampoline gymnasts.

She will also have one eye on trying to secure selection for Great Britain for the Trampolining Age Group World Championships in Bulgaria later in the year.

And Akbar believes her current set up leaves her in the best place to try and achieve her goals.

“It’s only been six months since my full time move and I’ve already improved dramatically,” said Akbar, who dreams of one day competing at an Olympic Games.

“The training facilities are much better and it now means that my GB coach is also my personal coach.

“Everything is linked up, it runs much more smoothly. The environment is also much better, I’m training around people at my level which motivates me even more.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that I do want to put all my focus into training because I can always come back to my studies in the future.

“I’m currently training for the Senior British Championships in Liverpool, it’s quite hard work.

“I’m getting new routines going so I’m increasing my difficulty while still maintaining my style in the air and my execution.

“At the British, I’m hoping to hit the qualification scores for the World Age Championships which then take place in November in Bulgaria.”

Akbar’s cause is helped by being once again being selected on the SSE Next Generation scheme for a second consecutive year – a programme which supports 50 young up and coming athletes, both financially and in a mentor capacity.

She recently headed out to Amsterdam for four days as part of a group of five athletes who got the opportunity to watch the England and Scotland players train ahead of their opening Women’s European Championships clash in Utrecht, which the Lionesses won 6-0.

And the aspiring Olympian admitted opportunities afforded to her like the trip to the Netherlands was something she wouldn’t turn down.

“I wanted to come on this trip because I’ve always learnt something when I’ve done previous events and workshops with SSE,” she said.

“It’s something a bit different but it was really interesting.

“I obviously do trampolining which is very different to football. It’s an individual sport as opposed to a team sport but there are still similarities. I noticed the England team in particular focused on keeping the positive energy and keeping it fun, regardless of the pressure of things going on.

“That reiterated to me how important it is to keep things fun, no matter what sport you do but also to deliver when it does count.”

Since 2013, SSE is proud to make a difference to young people, their families and their communities, by investing in the future of sporting talent through the SSE Next Generation scheme. Keep up to date @YourSSE.