Local star crowned a winner at Sporting Champions Awards

Local triathlete Camilla Cresswell has been crowned a winner at Everyone Active's prestigious Sporting Champions Awards.

Camilla Cresswell triumphed in the Social Media Champion of the Year category at the event, which was hosted by Team GB's double world 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson at Porchester Hall in Bayswater, London on Wednesday 30 October.

She was presented with the award by sprinter and TV star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

As well as competing in middle distance triathlon, Camilla is a qualified personal trainer and harnesses her social media to inspire others to lead a more active lifestyle.

Celebrating those who have had career successes or who have engaged in the Sporting Champions scheme at their local Everyone Active leisure centre, the awards also recognise those who have helped to inspire other up-and-coming sportsmen and women.

Everyone Active runs more than 230 leisure and cultural centres across the country, including Stratford Leisure Centre, Southam Leisure Centre, Shipston Leisure Centre, Studley Leisure Centre and The Greig Leisure Centre in Stratford-on-Avon District, in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

The company's Sporting Champions scheme is a sports talent development programme which supports 1,400 athletes.

Now in its eighth year, the initiative has helped thousands of athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active's leisure facilities nationwide.

Sporting Champions athletes won an incredible 23 medals at this year's Olympics and Paralympics - nine gold, six silver and eight bronze - while 14 athletes competed at their first Olympics or Paralympics in Paris.

The awards ceremony was preceded by a mentoring workshop, led by the scheme's team of Elite athletes.

Richard Kilty, Maisie Summers-Newton and Lauren Steadman starred on the Paris 2024 stage, and they were joined for the workshop by Olympians Lutalo Muhammad and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey to share their insights and experiences and help guide the Sporting Champions athletes in their own careers.

Richard Bell, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "Our congratulations go to Camilla on a fantastic year and a well-deserved award.

"The Sporting Champions scheme has been very successful in providing exceptional support to emerging talent and we were delighted to showcase this.  

"It's fantastic to see how the scheme has expanded over the years, now providing more than 1,400 athletes nationwide with access to top-quality training facilities and support. 

"As a leisure provider working in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community, and we hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes' success."

Cllr Lorraine Grocott, Environmental and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio said: "As a District Council, we are committed to supporting health and wellbeing in our communities and celebrate the development of sporting talent in our District.

"For Camilla to win this accolade is the icing on the cake and congratulations to her on this award and helping to inspire others to lead an active lifestyle."

To find out more about the Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme, visit www.easportingchampions.com or follow @easportingchamps on Instagram. For further information on Everyone Active, visit www.everyoneactive.com