Budding South Derbyshire athletes offered chance to move up to the next level
By The View - Swadlincote
UP-AND-COMING athletes in South Derbyshire are being given the chance to take their sporting careers to the next level with Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme.
Relaunching this month and celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the renowned 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.
New for 2026, athletes over 16 will receive access to the You+ membership, designed to promote holistic health and wellbeing and centred around individual needs.
Since its inception, Sporting Champions has elevated the careers of more than 6,000 athletes by providing them with free access to Everyone Active's 230-plus leisure centres nationwide, including Moorways Sports Village, run in partnership with Derby City Council. The programme also covers Green Bank Leisure Centre and Etwall Leisure Centre, run in partnership with South Derbyshire District Council.
Derby City Council last month triumphed in the Local Authority of the Year category at Everyone Active’s Champions Awards at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield.
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson will return 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 will offer wisdom, guidance and expert advice, guiding promising athletes through every milestone of their sporting journeys.
Colin said: "With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on the horizon, 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 nine years, the Sporting Champions scheme has poured more than £2million into young athletes, proving its commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.
Simon Morgan, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “We are delighted to support up-and-coming athletes from Derbyshire on their journey to success.
“As a leisure provider working in partnership with local councils, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community to ensure all budding athletes have access to the best 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 2026. We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes’ success.”
Cllr Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Parks and Leisure, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the sporting talent in Derby, and the Sporting Champions scheme is a
fantastic way to ensure our athletes reach their full potential. Having access to top-tier facilities like Moorways and mentorship from sporting icons can be a game-changer for a young person’s career. We were delighted to be named as Local Authority of the Year, and remain committed to nurturing our city’s emerging talent.”
Alison Bennett, Executive Director at South Derbyshire District Council, said: "South Derbyshire District Council are committed to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for people to reach their full potential. The Sporting Champions scheme does exactly that — it opens additional doors for athletes who might otherwise struggle to access the facilities, coaching and support they need to progress. We are proud to work alongside Everyone Active to empower the next generation of sporting stars and ensure residents of all ages can thrive through sport and physical activity."
Meanwhile, Everyone Active has also launched its Community Champions scheme for 2026-27, which celebrates unsung heroes making a difference in Derbyshire.
The award-winning leisure operator wants to support projects which are tackling local issues and changing lives, with the aim of building stronger communities and recognising the dedication of those who go above and beyond.
People involved in mentoring, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting inclusivity or leading environmental or cultural projects are urged to apply. It can be a charitable initiative or a project that is small or targeted.
Successful applicants will secure valuable use of facilities within their local leisure centres, to help them carry out these projects. Everyone Active will raise awareness of this work to strengthen connections, encourage civic engagement and foster a culture of giving back.
Elsewhere, Everyone Active has also launched its 2026-27 Colleague Champions scheme, which recognises and rewards colleagues who consistently go above and beyond in their roles.
