Aspiring athletes in Nuneaton and Bedworth are set to gain vital support as part of a sports talent development programme.
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has helped more than 6,000 athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to state-of-the-art facilities at Everyone Active’s 250-plus leisure sites, including the brand-new Bedworth Physical Activity Hub, Pingles Leisure Centre and Jubilee Sports Centre.
This year, a record 1,700 athletes have been accepted on the renowned scheme. Among those to secure their places in Nuneaton and Bedworth are:
- Amy Hughes, 21, the top ranked under-23 long jumper in the UK, who trains at Pingles Leisure Centre
- Dexter Hall, 13, who won two golds at the BTF Taekwon-Do tournament and trains at Pingles Leisure Centre
Amy Hughes
Dexter Hall
Alongside free access to Everyone Active centres, Sporting Champions will also receive valuable mentoring and guidance from an impressive panel of Elite athletes comprising Olympic and Paralympic medallists, world champions and Commonwealth champions.
The scheme’s all-star line-up of top athletes includes Lauren Steadman, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Emma Finucane, Maisie Summers-Newton and Richard Kilty.
These Elite athletes will share their experience and expertise through group mentoring sessions, covering topics including mental wellbeing, nutrition, managing finances, social media and media training.
These innovative, hands-on workshops are designed to equip up-and-coming athletes with the practical tools and techniques needed to be at the top of their game. In addition, Sporting Champions will take part in bitesize webinars in collaboration with national governing bodies.
New for 2026-27, athletes over 16 will receive access to the You+ membership, designed to promote holistic health and wellbeing and centred around individual needs.
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder, Colin Jackson CBE, will continue to fulfil the role of ambassador for the scheme, working alongside the Elite athletes to make sport more accessible within local communities.
Colin said:
“I am incredibly passionate about nurturing young talent and the Sporting Champions scheme goes above and beyond in this mission.
“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.
“My role is to pass my knowledge, experience and expertise on to the next generation of super-talented athletes. Seeing these future champions flourish throughout each year as they gain confidence fuels my excitement for what's to come.”
Over the past nine years, the Sporting Champions scheme has poured more than £2million into young athletes, proving its commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, no fewer than 26 Sporting Champions competed, taking home nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals collectively.
Lloyd Barraclough, Everyone Active’s Area Contract Manager, said:
“We are delighted to be providing exceptional support to this year’s cohort who have been accepted on Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme.
“The profound impact Sporting Champions has on emerging talent from Nuneaton and Bedworth each year is always amazing to see, and we are excited to be supporting more athletes than ever on their journey to sporting success.
“As a leisure provider working in partnership with Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community. We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes’ success and are excited to see what success stories the scheme will bring this year.”
Cllr Bobbie Greenwood, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Health, said:
“This is great news for Amy and Dexter and all the other young athletes who will benefit from the Sporting Champions scheme.
“At Nuneaton and Bedworth, we firmly believe in the importance of getting involved in sport and are delighted that we have three excellent facilities in our Borough, the Bedworth Physical Activity Hub, Pingles Leisure Centre, and Jubilee Sports Centre.’’