KELLY Simm will compete at her second World Gymnastics Championships later this week and the Southampton gymnast admits she will be drawing on the experience of 12 months ago to see her through.

Simm was part of the GB squad that finished sixth in the women’s team all-around event at the 2014 World Championships in Nanning, China, writes Luke Baker.

And the 20-year-old is determined to impress further at the 2015 World Championships by helping her team qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio next summer – a top-eight finish being required.

The Worlds begin on Friday October 23 at the SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow, the site of last year’s Commonwealth Games.

Simm helped England to team gold in the Commonwealths and she is hopeful a raucous home crowd can once again spur her on to success.

“Competing at the SSE Hydro will be amazing. I competed there last year at the Commonwealth Games, so going back is so exciting,” she explained.

“I remember how great the atmosphere was and having that home crowd behind you is definitely an advantage.

“I’m sure they’ll be loud for us again this year and I can’t wait to have that behind us.

“That home crowd definitely does boost you and give you that extra adrenaline that you sometimes need towards the end of the routine.

“Having people behind you and supporting you does help and does give that extra bit of confidence.

“I remember the Worlds last year being amazing. It was out in China which was a completely different experience with the culture and everything like that.

“This year will be completely different but also sort of similar. So I will definitely take my experiences from last year and bring what I learned into this year’s event.”

With qualification for next year’s Olympics in Rio up for grabs for the top eight teams in Glasgow, Simm is keen to help GB secure their spot.

And the Dynamo School of Gymnastics member admits every event is building towards Rio with the Olympics less than 12 months away.

“Everything is a little stepping stone towards the Olympics now. Everything counts and you’re constantly gaining experience,” she added.

“You learn something different from every competition, so everything is important in the lead up to Rio.

“To be able to go to the Olympics would be amazing and it would mean everything to me but I’m trying not to think about that. It is one thing at a time but it would be incredible.”

*SSE’s Next Generation programme partners with SportsAid to provide financial support and training to the sports stars of the future. Keep up to date with the latest @SSENextGen