The Isle of Man Gymnastics Hall of Fame

Tara Donnelly

Early Career

Started Gymnastics aged 7 at Ellan Vannin Gymnastics.

The beginning of Tara's career, competing through Club Grades and Challenge Cup, with 2010 being first year of National Competition, competing at British Team Championships and Challenge Cup, winning a Bronze on Floor at British Challenge Cup - and being the first Isle of Man Gymnast to qualify for the British Championships. Competed at the British Championships as a Junior, making the Vault final and finishing 6th in Britain on this apparatus.

International & National Career

Later went on to qualify and compete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games at 15 years old being the youngest Gymnast of any nation at those Games. Finished the competition in 25th place, 1 spot away from the All-Around Final.

In 2015, obtained a place on the Irish National Team, and furthered her international gymnastics career representing Ireland, earning places to compete at the European Championships, European Games in Azerbaijan, and the World Championships. Remained on the Irish Olympic Squad from 2015-2018, competing in Belgium, Faroe Islands and France to name a few.

Representing the Isle of Man, she was then selected for the Gotland 2017 Island Games, where she won 8 Gold Medals and 1 Silver, making her the most decorated athlete at those Games.

Following a short break from Elite gymnastics, returned to Elite gymnastics in 2021. A very successful year, winning Gold All-Around at the Malta International, Silver in British Challenge Cup, and capping it off with winning the Northern European Championship Gold on Floor, and 4th in the All-Around. Following this, she was rewarded with the prestigious Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year accolade.

In 2022, started off the year becoming British University All-Around Champion, and later competing at the Scottish, English and British Championships - where she placed 7th on Vault in the Final. Went on to compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, making the All-Around final finishing in 13th place - the island's highest placing at a Commonwealth Games.

In 2023, following success at retaining the British University All-Around Championship, she retired from the sport.