Up-and-coming athletes in Ashfield are being given the chance to take their sporting careers to the next level with Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme.

Relaunching this month for the ninth consecutive year, the 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.

Since its inception in 2016, the scheme has elevated the sporting careers of more than 6,000 athletes by providing them with free access to Everyone Active leisure centres nationwide, including Lammas Leisure Centre, Sutton; Hucknall Leisure Centre, and Kirkby Leisure Centre, run in partnership with Ashfield District Council.

Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson will return as the scheme’s ambassador for 2025-2026. He will work alongside a line-up of inspiring elite athletes who have starred on the Olympic and Paralympic stage – Lauren Steadman, Lutalo Muhammad, Richard Kilty, Maisie Summers-Newton and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – in mentoring sessions throughout the year. These sporting heroes will offer wisdom, guidance, and expert advice, guiding rising athletes through every milestone of their sporting journeys.

Last summer, the scheme supported 26 Sporting Champions who competed in the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, achieving nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals.

Simon Morgan, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “We are delighted to support up-and-coming athletes from Ashfield on their journey to success.

“As a leisure provider working in partnership with Ashfield District Council, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community to ensure all budding athletes have access to the same 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 2025. We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes’ success.”

Applications run until Tuesday, 11th March via the Everyone Active Sporting Champions
website easportingchampions.com