UP-AND-coming athletes in the district are being given the chance to take their sporting careers to the next level with Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme.
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.
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 Castle Farm Leisure Centre, St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre and Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre, as well as Edmondscote Athletics Track – all run in partnership with Warwick 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.
Meanwhile, Everyone Active has also launched its Community Champions scheme for 2026-27, which celebrates unsung heroes making a difference in Warwick district.
The 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.
Applications are open until Friday, March 20 on the Everyone Active Champions website.
