Junior Triple Jumper from Ealing Setting New Records
Leila Newth one of the local athletes backed by Sporting Champions scheme
Leila Newth
May 13, 2026
A record-breaking young athlete from Ealing is among 32 rising sports stars in the borough selected for Everyone Active ’s national Sporting Champions scheme. This programme provides free training access and mentoring from some of Britain ’s most accomplished Olympians and world-class competitors.
Triple jumper Leila Newth, who trains at Perivale Park Athletics Track, has enjoyed a remarkable year. Still only a teenager, she became the youngest competitor at the Senior UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham, where she won bronze in the triple jump. Earlier in the season she claimed double gold in the long jump and triple jump at the indoor England Athletics age-group championships, breaking the championship record and finishing the winter ranked number one in the UK in both events for the under-17 category.
Leila now has her sights set firmly on the international stage, targeting the European Under-18 Championships in Rieti and the World Under-20 Championships in Oregon. She said the Sporting Champions scheme had already made a tangible difference to her training. “Being able to use the track and gym more frequently has improved my motivation and determination. Knowing I have support from the scheme helps to make me feel very comfortable in my athletic progress. ”
Among the other Ealing athletes selected this year is Lana Gandhi, a 15-year-old cricketer and footballer who trains at Acton Centre. Lana is part of both the Middlesex County Cricket Emerging Players Programme and the Somerset FA Emerging Talent Centre, and recently represented Middlesex Under-18s in the Vitality T20 County Club Final. Now entering her second year on the scheme, she said: “Being recognised as a Sporting Champion has given me confidence and motivation to work harder and set higher goals. ”
The Sporting Champions programme, now in its 10th anniversary year, supports promising athletes across the UK by offering free access to Everyone Active’s 250 -plus leisure sites, including Acton Centre, Dormers Wells Leisure Centre, Northolt Leisure Centre and Brent Valley Golf Course and Fitness Centre. This year, a record 1,700 athletes have been accepted nationally.
Lana Gandhi is based at the Acton Centre
Participants also receive mentoring from an elite panel of Olympic and Paralympic medallists, world champions and Commonwealth champions, including Lauren Steadman, Emma Finucane, Maisie Summers-Newton, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Richard Kilty. A new addition for 2026–27 will see athletes aged 16 and over gain access to the You+ membership, which focuses on holistic health and wellbeing.
Phil Edwards, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said the organisation was proud to support such a strong cohort from Ealing. “Leila and Lana are fantastic examples of the exceptional talent in this borough, and we are excited to see what this year brings for all 32 of our Sporting Champions. As a leisure provider working in partnership with Ealing Council, we believe it is important to cater for all sections of the community, and the Sporting Champions scheme is central to that mission.”
The scheme’s ambassador, Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson CBE, said nurturing young talent remained at the heart of the programme. “With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow just months away, I am more excited than ever to support athletes of all ages and from all disciplines to achieve their dreams. Seeing these future champions flourish throughout each year as they gain confidence fuels my excitement for what’s to come.”
Over the past decade, the scheme has invested more than £2 million in young athletes. At the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, 26 Sporting Champions alumni competed, winning a combined nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals.
Further information about the Sporting Champions scheme is available at ea-champions.com/sporting-champions or on Instagram at @easportingchamps.
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