Aspiring athletes in Stratford-on-Avon District are set to gain vital support as part of a sports talent development programme.

Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has helped more than 6,000 athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to state-of-the-art facilities at Everyone Active's 250-plus leisure sites.

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.

This year, a record 1,700 athletes have been accepted on the renowned scheme. Among those to secure their places in Stratford-on-Avon District are:

• 24-year-old fencing athlete, Olympios Gougoulias, who has medalled at British Championships and represents Great Britain, currently ranking sixth in Great Britain for seniors. This season, Olympios hopes to qualify for the World and European Championships in the hopes of reaching his dreams of competing at the Olympics.
   
• 17-year-old athletics competitor Sam Lambert, ranked first in the U17 10k road with a time of 30:54. Sam has been selected to represent England athletics in the youth talent programme.
   
• Sam Craig, a 35-year-old Stratford HYROX athlete who broke the British record with the fastest solo time ever recorded in the UK at Birmingham's NEC in October 2025. Sam hopes to win the 2026 European Championships.

Alongside free access to Everyone Active leisure centres, Sporting Champions will also receive valuable mentoring and guidance from an impressive panel of Elite athletes comprising Olympic and Paralympic medalists, World champions and Commonwealth champions.

The scheme's all-star line-up of top athletes includes Lauren Steadman, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Emma Finucane, Maisie Summers-Newton and Richard Kilty.

These Elite athletes will share their experience and expertise through group mentoring sessions, covering topics including mental wellbeing, nutrition, managing finances, social media and media training.

These innovative, hands-on workshops are designed to equip up-and-coming athletes with the practical tools and techniques needed to be at the top of their game. In addition, Sporting Champions will take part in bitesize webinars in collaboration with national governing bodies.

New for 2026-27, athletes over 16 years will receive access to the YOU+ membership, designed to promote holistic health and wellbeing and centred around individual needs.

Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder, Colin Jackson CBE, will continue to fulfil the role of ambassador for the scheme, working alongside the Elite athletes to make sport more accessible within local communities.

Colin said: "I am incredibly passionate about nurturing young talent and the Sporting Champions scheme goes above and beyond in this mission. With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow just months away, I am more excited than ever to support athletes of all ages and from all disciplines to achieve their dreams.

"My role is to pass my knowledge, experience and expertise on to the next generation of super-talented athletes. Seeing these future champions flourish throughout each year as they gain confidence fuels my excitement for what's to come."

Over the past nine years, the Sporting Champions scheme has poured more than £2million into young athletes, proving its commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, no fewer than 26 Sporting Champions competed, taking home nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals collectively.

Richard Bell, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "We are delighted to be providing exceptional support to this year's cohort who have been accepted on Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme.

"The profound impact Sporting Champions has on emerging talent from Stratford-on-Avon District each year is always amazing to see, and we are excited to be supporting more athletes than ever on their journey to sporting 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. We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes' success and are excited to see what success stories the scheme will bring this year."

Councillor Lorraine Grocott, Portfolio Holder for Environmental and Neighbourhood Services, said: "We are proud to support Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme, which provides talented local athletes with the facilities, guidance and mentoring they need to fulfil their potential.

"It is fantastic to see athletes from across Stratford-on-Avon District recognised through this prestigious programme. Their dedication, hard work and achievements are an inspiration to our communities and help encourage more people to get involved in sport and physical activity.

 "The District Council is committed to working with partners to promote healthy, active lifestyles and create opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in sport. We wish all of this year's Sporting Champions every success as they continue their sporting journeys."

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