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, now in its ninth year, has helped more than 7,000 athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active's 230-plus leisure facilities.
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.
Among the athletes accepted on the scheme in Stratford-on-Avon District this year are:
11-year-old diver Alana Ojok, who was selected to the Team GB Youth Development Pathway in November 2024.
Charlie Cook, a 15-year-old javelin athlete, ranked number 1 under 15 boys 600g javelin at 56.73 metres.
Alongside free access to Everyone Active run leisure centres, Sporting Champions will also receive valuable mentoring and guidance from an impressive panel of Elite athletes comprising World champions, Commonwealth champions and Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic medalists.
The scheme's all-star line-up of athletes includes Richard Kilty, Lauren Steadman, Maisie Summers-Newton and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, while new to the panel for 2025 is Team GB cyclist Emma Finucane.
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.
New for this year, Sporting Champions will take part in bitesize webinars in collaboration with national governing bodies. The scheme will also offer innovative hands-on workshops, designed to equip up-and-coming athletes with the practical tools and techniques needed to be at the top of their game.
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder, Colin Jackson CBE, will continue to support the scheme through his role as Ambassador, working alongside the Elite athletes to help 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.
"As the scheme's Ambassador, 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."
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 to 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."
Cllr Lorraine Grocott, Environmental and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio said: "We're proud to support a scheme to bring through the next generation of sports stars. Everyone Active's Sporting Champion scheme aims to help Stratford-on-Avon District's talented young athletes make it to the top."
To find out more about Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme, please visit ea-champions.com/sporting-champions/ or follow @easportingchamps on Instagram. For further information on Everyone Active, visit www.everyoneactive.com
