The most recent cohorts of winners have been announced at Everyone Active’s prestigious Sporting Champions Awards for 2024-2025.

Taking place on Wednesday 30 October, the event was hosted by Great Britain’s double world 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson at Porchester Hall in Bayswater, London.

Celebrating those who have had career successes or who have engaged in the Sporting Champions scheme at their local Everyone Active centre, the accolades also recognise those who have helped to inspire other up-and-coming sportsmen and women.

Recognised as leading the way as aspiring athletes were:

• Callie-Ann Warrington – National Champion of the Year
• Ben Andrews – Regional Champion of the Year (South East)
• Olivia Newman-Baronius – Regional Champion of the Year (East)
• Mari Durward-Akhurst – Regional Champion of the Year (West)
• Mylee Hedges – Young Champion of the Year
• Camilla Cresswell – Social Media Champion of the Year
• Elizabeth Cromwell – Community Champion of the Year
• William Ellard – Outstanding Achievement of the Year

As part of the ceremony, both Moulton Leisure Centre and Middlesbrough Sports Village were awarded the Everyone Active Site of the Year, being recognised as a standout sites from Everyone Active’s portfolio of more than 230 leisure and cultural centres across the country.

Moulton Leisure Centre was selected in acknowledgement of the centre’s high standard of facilities and through hosting multiple community events with Sporting Champions this year, including a celebratory send-off for their four Sporting Champions who qualified for this year’s Paralympics.

Middlesbrough Sports Village were also selected for hosting a hugely successful first Sporting Champions mentoring day to launch this years’ scheme with Elite athlete Richard Kilty and industry professionals.

In addition, Westminster City Council was recognised as the Local Authority Partner of the Year, who stood out this year for supporting the Sporting Champions programme by being involved in the application process, utilising athletes at events and media opportunities and ensuring the athletes have the best possible experience whilst on the scheme.

The awards ceremony was preceded by a mentoring workshop, led by the scheme’s team of Elite athletes. Maisie Summers-Newton, Richard Kilty and Lauren Steadman starred on the Paris 2024 stage, and were joined by Olympians Lutalo Muhammad and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey to share their insights and experiences and help guide the Sporting Champions athletes in their own careers.

The event comes off the back of a spectacular year for members of the scheme. Sporting Champions athletes won an incredible 23 medals at this year’s Olympics and Paralympics – nine gold, six silver and eight bronze – while 14 athletes competed at their first Olympics or Paralympics in Paris.

David Bibby, Managing Director at Everyone Active, said: “Our annual mentoring and awards day is always a special event as we celebrate the success of Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme and the fantastic achievements of our athletes throughout the year.

“It’s wonderful to see how the scheme has expanded over the years, now providing more than 1,400 athletes nationwide with access to top-quality training facilities and support.

“As a leisure provider working in partnership with councils all over the country, it’s imperative that we cater for people of all abilities, backgrounds and ages throughout our local communities, and the Sporting Champions scheme – as part our evolving Champions scheme – does just that.

“We hope to continue making a positive impact on up-and-coming athletes’ journeys and are excited to see what the coming year brings for the Champions scheme as a whole.”