Up-and-coming athletes in Waverley 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 renowned programme, run in partnership with Waverley Borough Council, 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's 240-plus leisure centres nationwide, including Haslemere Leisure Centre, Godalming Leisure Centre, Farnham Leisure Centre and Cranleigh Leisure Centre in Waverley.
A local budding athlete who has benefitted from the scheme is Logan McAlister. He said: ““As a young racing driver, fitness plays an integral part in my motorsport career away from the racetrack. I work with my personal trainer at the Everyone Active gym at least twice a week. The facilities are incredible and I would not be as strong as I am today without the help of the Sporting Champions scheme.
“I was lucky enough to attend the mentoring days throughout 2024 and meet some incredible athletes. Hearing the stories of their individual journeys and their pathways to success, has given me the drive (pardon the pun) and determination to succeed in a very competitive industry, and I can’t thank them enough.”
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.
An incredible 14 of these athletes made their debuts at Paris 2024, coming home with 11 medals between them.
Colin said: "After a summer of monumental success in 2024, 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 eight years, the Sporting Champions scheme has poured more than £2million into young athletes, proving its commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.
Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Leisure and EDI, Councillor Kika Mirylees said: "We are thrilled to continue supporting Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme and to hear from one of our local athletes who has made the most of this wonderful opportunity. This initiative plays a crucial role in nurturing local talent and providing young athletes with the resources and mentorship they need to excel.
“At Waverley Borough Council, we are committed to fostering a vibrant sporting community and ensuring that every aspiring athlete has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We look forward to seeing the incredible achievements of our local athletes in the coming year."
Steve Little, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are delighted to support up-and-coming athletes from Waverley on their journey to success.
“As a leisure provider working in partnership with Waverley Borough 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 open on Tuesday 11 February 2025 and run until Tuesday 11 March 2025 via the Everyone Active Sporting Champions website: easportingchampions.com
Follow the Sporting Champions Instagram (@easportingchamps) for more information on how to apply.