Up-and-coming athletes in Stratford-on-Avon District are being given the chance to take their sporting careers to the next level with Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme.
Relaunching this month for the ninth consecutive year, the renowned programme empowers aspiring athletes to achieve their full potential through access to state-of-the-art training facilities and invaluable mentoring support from Olympians and Paralympians.
Since its inception in 2016, the scheme has elevated the sporting careers of more than 6,000 athletes by providing them with free access to Everyone Active's 240-plus leisure centres nationwide.
These include Stratford Leisure Centre, Southam Leisure Centre, Shipston Leisure Centre, Studley Leisure Centre and The Greig Leisure Centre in Alcester, run in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council.
A local budding athlete who has benefitted from the scheme is middle distance triathlete Camilla Cresswell, who qualified to represent Great Britain at the European Championships in Portugal in 2024.
Camilla, 40, from Stratford-upon-Avon, said: "The Sporting Champions scheme has benefitted me in more ways than just providing a great training facility that is five minutes from house. I have met some fantastic athletes who have now become good friends through attending my local leisure centre a few times a week. This is invaluable as it has provided me with a natural support network.
"Having access to the scheme has helped with my athletic development, as I've been able to fit in gym sessions during my son's swimming lessons. Access to the pool at Shipston Leisure Centre has been the biggest benefit to me. Being so close to home means I can fit sessions into a busy working day which has been hugely beneficial to my development.
"Attending the Sporting Champions mentoring days has also been super interesting. I always leave them having learnt something and winning the Everyone Active Sporting Champions social media award was a huge highlight for me!"
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson will return as the scheme's Ambassador for 2025-2026.
He will work alongside a line-up of inspiring Elite athletes who have starred on the Olympic and Paralympic stage - Lauren Steadman, Lutalo Muhammad, Richard Kilty, Maisie Summers-Newton and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey - in mentoring sessions throughout the year. These sporting heroes will offer wisdom, guidance and expert advice, guiding rising athletes through every milestone of their sporting journeys.
Last summer, the scheme supported 26 Sporting Champions who competed in the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, achieving nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals.
An incredible 14 of these athletes made their debuts at Paris 2024, coming home with 11 medals between them.
Colin said: "After a summer of monumental success in 2024, I am more excited than ever to support athletes of all ages and from all disciplines to achieve their dreams. I'm passionate about nurturing young talent and the Sporting Champions scheme goes above and beyond in this mission."
Over the past eight years, the Sporting Champions scheme has poured more than £2million into young athletes, proving its commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.
Richard Bell, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "We are delighted to support up-and-coming athletes from Stratford-on-Avon District on their journey to success.
"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 to ensure all budding athletes have access to the same facilities and opportunities.
"The Sporting Champions scheme has supported thousands of athletes over the years, and we are proud to be continuing this again in 2025. We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes' success."
Applications open on Tuesday 11 February 2025 and run until Tuesday 11 March 2025 via the Everyone Active Sporting Champions website: easportingchampions.com
Follow the Sporting Champions Instagram (@easportingchamps) for more information on how to apply.
