Up-and-coming athletes in Wythenshawe have the chance to take their sporting careers to the next level with Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme.
Relaunching this month and celebrating a decade of support, the programme 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 Forum Leisure.
And new for 2026, athletes over 16 will receive access to Forum Leisure’s You+ membership, designed to promote holistic health and wellbeing, centred around individual needs.
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson returns as the scheme’s ambassador for 2026-27.
He will work alongside a line-up of inspiring elite athletes who have starred on the Olympic and Paralympic stage – Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Maisie Summers-Newton, Emma Finucane, Lauren Steadman and Richard Kilty – in mentoring sessions throughout the year. These sporting heroes offer wisdom 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.
Of these, 14 athletes made their debut at Paris 2024, coming home with 11 medals between them.
Colin said: "With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on the horizon, I’m 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 nine years, the Sporting Champions scheme has poured more than £2 million into young athletes, proving its commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.
Everyone Active contract manager Phil Bowers said: “We’re delighted to support up-and-coming athletes from Wythenshawe on their journey to success.
“As a leisure provider working in partnership with Wythenshawe Trust, we feel it’s 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’re proud to be continuing this again in 2026. We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes’ success.”
Applications are open until 20 March 2026 at: easportingchampions.com
Follow the Sporting Champions Instagram (@easportingchamps) for more information on how to apply.
