Up-and-coming athletes across England have gained much-needed support as part of a sports talent development programme this coming year.
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, now heading into its seventh year, has helped thousands of athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active’s 200+ leisure facilities.
Some of the incredible athletes accepted on the scheme this year are:
- Ondine Achampong, Artistic Gymnast, Commonwealth team gold, all around silver and Floor silver
- Joel Iyalla, Taekwondo, 3x British Taekwondo champion
- Tully Kearney, Para swimming, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Champion (S5 100 m Freestyle) and silver medallist (S5 200 m Freestyle)
- Ryan Cowling, Paralympic wheelchair rugby, Tokyo 2020 Paralympics gold medal winner
- William Sharman, Bobsled, Commonwealth games medals x 2, European champion, British champion
- Hayley Rigby, Triathlete, 2022 world triathlon champion
- Charlotte Long, Football, Captain for London City Lionesses U16 football team
- Bryony Page, Trampoline Gymnastics, Britain’s most decorated female Olympic gymnast
Alongside free access to Everyone Active centres, Sporting Champions also receive valuable mentoring and guidance from an impressive panel of Elite athletes.
The scheme’s all-star line-up of decorated Olympians and Paralympians includes Jennifer and Jessica Gadirova, Lutalo Muhammad, Richard Kilty, Lauren Steadman, Kadeena Cox and Maisie Summers-Newton.*
Throughout the year, 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.
Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson will also continue to support the scheme through his role as an Ambassador, working alongside the Elite athletes to make sport more accessible within local communities.
Hayley Rigby, Triathlete and 2022 world triathlon champion said: “The scheme has been incredible for me. The benefits of being able to use any Everyone Active centre in the UK means my training can continue when I travel. It also means I can use my local centre without worrying about cost.
I also enjoy the access to professionals through talks and tips and really appreciate being supported by my local community – it gives me huge motivation and ability to inspire others.”
Tokyo 2020 paratriathlon champion and cross-country skier Lauren Steadman said: “I’m super proud to be an Elite athlete for this year’s Sporting Champions scheme, helping to mentor, guide and inspire up-and-coming athletes in their sporting careers.
“The fact there is now a brand creating opportunities and supporting younger athletes to achieve their full potential is amazing. I hope I can share my knowledge and experience with the Sporting Champions through our mentoring days and that together we can create an incredible future generation of athletes.”
David Bibby, Managing Director at Everyone Active, said: “Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme has been very successful in providing exceptional support to emerging talent and we are delighted to be once again supporting athletes from around the country on their journey to success.
“It’s fantastic to see how the scheme has expanded over the years, now providing more than 1,000 athletes nationwide with access to top-quality training facilities and support.
“As a leisure provider working in partnership with councils all over the country, 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 the relaunch of the scheme brings this year.”
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
