ASPIRING athletes in Stratford district are set to gain vital support as part of a sports talent development programme.
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, now in its ninth year, has helped more than 7,000 athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active’s 230-plus leisure facilities.
These include Stratford Leisure Centre, Southam Leisure Centre, Shipston Leisure Centre, Studley Leisure Centre and The Greig Leisure Centre in Alcester, run in partnership with Stratford District Council.
Among the athletes accepted on the scheme in Stratford district this year are 11-year-old diver Alana Ojok, who was selected to the Team GB Youth Development Pathway in November 2024 and Charlie Cook, a 15-year-old javelin athlete, ranked number one under 15 boys 600g javelin at 56.73 metres.
Alongside free access to Everyone Active run leisure centres, Sporting Champions will also receive valuable mentoring and guidance from an impressive panel of Elite athletes comprising World champions, Commonwealth champions and Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic medalists.
The scheme’s all-star line-up of athletes includes Richard Kilty, Lauren Steadman, Maisie Summers-Newton and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, while new to the panel for 2025 is Team GB cyclist Emma Finucane.
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.
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.
SDC’s environmental spokesperson Coun Lorraine Grocott said: “We’re proud to support a scheme to bring through the next generation of sports stars. Everyone Active’s Sporting Champion scheme aims to help Stratford district’s talented young athletes make it to the top.”
Visit ea-champions.com/sporting-champions/ for more details.
