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 and celebrating its 10th anniversary this 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.
New for 2026, athletes over 16 will receive access to the You+ membership, designed to promote holistic health and wellbeing and centred around individual needs.
Since its inception, Sporting Champions has elevated the careers of more than 6,000 athletes by providing them with free access to Everyone Active's 230-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.
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson will return as the scheme's Ambassador for 2026-27.
He will work alongside a line-up of inspiring Elite athletes who have starred on the Olympic and Paralympic stage - Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Maisie Summers-Newton, Emma Finucane, Lauren Steadman and Richard Kilty - in mentoring sessions throughout the year. These sporting heroes will offer wisdom, guidance and expert advice, guiding promising athletes through every milestone of their sporting journeys.
Colin said: "With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on the horizon, 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 nine 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 best 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 2026. We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes' success."
Meanwhile, Everyone Active has also launched its Community Champions scheme for 2026-27, which celebrates unsung heroes making a difference in Stratford-on-Avon District.
The award-winning leisure operator wants to support projects which are tackling local issues and changing lives, with the aim of building stronger communities and recognising the dedication of those who go above and beyond.
People involved in mentoring, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting inclusivity or leading environmental or cultural projects are urged to apply. It can be a charitable initiative or a project that is small or targeted.
Successful applicants will secure valuable use of facilities within their local leisure centres, to help them carry out these projects. Everyone Active will raise awareness of this work to strengthen connections, encourage civic engagement and foster a culture of giving back.
Elsewhere, Everyone Active has also launched its 2026-27 Colleague Champions scheme, which recognises and rewards colleagues who consistently go above and beyond in their roles.
Applications for all Champions schemes open on Friday, February 20 and run until Friday, March 20. You can apply via the Everyone Active Champions website: Everyone Champions | The Home of Champions. Keep up with the latest Sporting Champions news by following @easportingchamps on Instagram.
