17-02-2025
Scheme offers support to aspiring athletes in Suffolk
Aspiring athletes are being offered support and free access to training facilities in a bid to help them achieve sporting success.
Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme, which is being run for the ninth year, aims to help athletes by providing access to training facilities and mentoring support from Olympians and Paralympians.
The scheme, which started in 2016, has helped more than 6,000 athletes by giving them free access to Everyone Active's 240-plus leisure centres nationwide.
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This includes Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre in Stowmarket and Stradbroke Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre, which are run in partnership with Mid Suffolk District Council.
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson will continue as the scheme's ambassador for 2025-2026.
He will work alongside a line-up of elite athletes, including Lauren Steadman, Lutalo Muhammad, Richard Kilty, Maisie Summers-Newton, and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, in mentoring sessions throughout the year.
Mr Jackson 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."
Anselm Gurney, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: "We are delighted to support up-and-coming athletes from Mid Suffolk on their journey to success.
"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 can be completed until March 11, via the Everyone Active Sporting Champions website.
