Developing the next generation of talented athletes
Aspiring athletes in Ashfield are set to gain essential support as part of a sports talent development programme.
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, now in its ninth year, has helped more than 7000 athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active’s 230 plus leisure facilities, including Hucknall Leisure Centre, Lammas Leisure Centre and Kirkby Leisure Centre.
Among the 38 athletes accepted on the scheme in Ashfield this year are 2 athletes who train at Hucknall Leisure Centre:
• Hucknall’s Fern Taylor, 27, a short track speed skater who recorded 3 podium finishes at the British Championships this year
• Nottingham’s Gabriel Oguagwu, 15, who won gold in the junior boys 200m at the 2024 English Schools' Track and Field Championships
Alongside free access to Everyone Active centres, Sporting Champions will also receive valuable mentoring and guidance from an impressive panel of Elite athletes comprising of World Champions, Commonwealth Champions and Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic medallists.
The scheme’s all-star line-up of prestigious 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.
New for this year, Sporting Champions will also have the chance to take part in bitesize webinars in collaboration with National Governing Bodies. The scheme will now also offer innovative hands-on workshops, designed to equip up and coming athletes with the practical tools and techniques needed to be at the top of their game.
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder, Colin Jackson CBE, will continue to support the scheme through his role as the scheme’s Ambassador, working alongside the Elite athletes to help make sport more accessible within local communities.
Colin said: "Seeing these future champions flourish throughout each year as they gain confidence fuels my excitement for what's to come!"
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.
Simon Morgan, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said:
“The profound impact Sporting Champions has on emerging talent from Ashfield 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 Ashfield District 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.”
John Bennett, Executive Director of Place at Ashfield District Council, said:
“Ashfield residents have access to some fabulous leisure and sport facilities across the district. One of our aims is to help everyone live healthier and happier lives and our leisure centres particularly, allow for this.
“They also provide a fantastic pathway into sport for aspiring athletes like Fern and Gabriel, who are a brilliant illustration of what can be achieved when people have access to facilities.”
You can find out more here about the Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme:
- website: Sporting Champions scheme
