Brock Batty

As a nine-year-old, Victorian trampolinist Brock Batty walked into a gymsports session at Cheltenham Youth Club in Melbourne with the dream of being an Olympian.

“As a young kid I always jumped on my backyard trampoline and always loved going to trampoline parks,” Brock said. “I was very adventurous and did whatever I could to seek an adrenaline rush. Eventually my Mum decided to sign me up to CYC (Cheltenham Youth Club) to join the trampoline program.

“I was progressing really quickly, learning new skills and jumping higher. My love for the sport bloomed very early as I was having so much fun and learning a lot at a young age.”

Within two years he had won two Australian titles, in addition to one silver and two bronze, and had been selected for his first Australian team, competing at the 2018 World Age Championships in St Petersburg, Russia.

In 2019 Brock won two more Australian titles and claimed bronze at the World Age Championships in Japan. He picked up another bronze at the 2022 World Age Group Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

A Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship recipient, Brock had a breakout year in 2023. At the Trampoline World Age Group Championships in Birmingham, he walked away with wins both as an individual and as part of a synchronised duo with his friend Nicolas Diaz Ballas.

“This was me and Nic’s third time competing together as a pair on the international stage,” Brock said. “The two previous times we competed together either me or him came off. For weeks leading into the competition, we had jokingly said to each other ‘third time’s a charm’.

“It was really special being able to experience the best feeling in the world again, but this time I got to experience it with my best mate, knowing that we did this together.”

At the 2024 Australian Championships on the Gold Coast, Brock continued his rapid development and ensured his place at the Paris Olympics when he edged out 2022 champion Shaun Swadling to win individual gold, his first senior title.

“It’s really satisfying, working really hard towards a goal,” Brock said, following the competition. “It just feels like (the trampoline) is where I’m meant to be – I love it.”

The then 17-year-old became the youngest trampolinist from any country to compete in the Olympic Games since the sport was introduced at Sydney 2000.

Brock’s first routine was a strong one with clean execution, posting a score of 55.890 to finish in 12th. However, a fall during his second routine prevented Brock from finishing in the top eight required to progress through to the final, recording a final placing of 13th at the end of the qualifying competition.

“It’s been an awesome experience,” Brock said. “Feeling a bit of mixed emotions, but it’s been insane to get up and compete in front of a crowd like that.”

“The focus is to go back home, train hard, and hopefully go for a medal next time.”