Sporting Champions Scheme Relaunches in Ealing Borough

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Mentoring from Olympians and Paralympians offered

Lutalo Muhammad and Lauren Steadman are among the elite athletes participating

February 6, 2024

A scheme in which aspiring athletes can get mentoring from Olympians and Paralympians and access to state-of-the-art equipment is being relaunched in Ealing Borough

Applications are opening soon for a chance to participate in Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme.

The programme offers offering access to training facilities and mentoring support from experienced athletes.

Venues participating in the national scheme locally include Everyone Active Acton Centre, Brent Valley Golf Course and Fitness Centre, Dormers Wells Leisure Centre, Reynolds Sports Centre, Elthorne Sports Centre, Greenford Sports Centre, Northolt Leisure Centre, Perivale Park Athletics Track, Swift Road Outdoor Sports Centre and Twyford Sports Centre in Ealing.

Since its inception in 2016, the scheme has seen more than 5,000 athletes participate. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, no fewer than 30 Sporting Champions competed, taking home five gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

For 2024, the legendary Colin Jackson, Olympic 110m hurdles silver medallist and former world record holder, returns as the scheme's Ambassador.

He will be working alongside a line-up of athletes who have starred on the Olympic and Paralympic stage – Lauren Steadman, Lutalo Muhammad, Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova, Kadeena Cox, Richard Kilty and Maisie Summers-Newton – in group mentoring sessions throughout the year. They will share their wisdom and expertise, guiding up and coming athletes.

Colin said, "I'm passionate about nurturing young talent and the Sporting Champions scheme goes above and beyond in this mission. With the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in Paris this summer, the programme takes on even greater significance in 2024. Seeing these future champions flourish fuels my excitement for what's to come."

Phil Edwards, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said, “We are delighted to support up and coming athletes from Ealing on their journey to success.

“As a leisure provider working in partnership with Ealing Council, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community.

“The Sporting Champions scheme has supported thousands of athletes over the years and we are proud to be continuing this again in 2024.

“We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes’ success and are excited to see what this Olympic year will bring.”

Councillor Polly Knewstub, cabinet member for thriving communities, said, “This is a wonderful programme that has given valuable support to some of our most talented young athletes, through mentoring and access to equipment. I am delighted that our sporting partners, Everyone Active, is continuing to promote sporting excellence and helping our aspiring athletes reach their potential.”

Applications open on Monday, 12 February and run until Monday, 11 March via the Everyone Active Sporting Champions website.

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