CHIPPENHAM youngster Frazer James claimed fourth place at the Great Britain National Individual Trampoline final last weekend.

The eight-year-old, who recently competed for Wiltshire at gymnastics, was 0.1 points away from a podium finish in Telford.

Frazer’s mum Rachel admits it has been difficult to find a club for her son, who has Asperger syndrome, but believes he has now settled at Team Bath Evolution.

“He showed an interest when he was six months old, we have always had a trampoline at home and I think because if his Aspergers the rebound is quite soothing,” she said.

“He first went to Evolution Trampoline club when he was five. It is quite hard work getting people to understand what children with Aspergers or Autism need.

“It is hard to find coaches who understand what my child needs but I think we have managed to find that now.”

After showing initial interest at an early age, the Monkton Park School pupil hasn’t looked back since according to his mum, who thinks the sport has had a positive impact on her son.

“He goes on the trampoline all the time when he is at home, and he would trampoline in the dark if he could,” she added.

“If he has had a bad day at school then he will go out on the trampoline.

“He is keen to go to training sessions, I’m not surprised that he is carrying on with it. It gives him a focus.

“As his parents it is very important we keep him active and focussed, it would be easy for him to sit on his iPad all day, but that wouldn’t be very constructive.”

The youngster is also a gymnast and recently represent Wiltshire, something the eight-year-old has become accustomed to, according to his mum.

“He competed for Wiltshire recently, which is a big achievement for anyone let alone if you have Aspergers,”

“He doesn’t comprehend how well he has done, afterwards when he can understand it I think he will be really proud of himself.

“I’m massively proud of him, the competition was huge with all the lights and the music, to then go and focus on what you need to do is really good.”