Up-and-coming athletes in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland are set to gain much-needed support as part of a sports talent development programme.
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, now heading into its seventh year, has helped thousands of athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active’s 200+ leisure facilities, including:
- Middlesbrough Sports Village, Rainbow Leisure Centre and Neptune Leisure Centre – run in partnership with Middlesbrough Council
- Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart, Eston Leisure Centre, Saltburn Leisure Centre, Loftus Leisure Centre and Guisborough Swim and Fitness Centre – run in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
Among the 51 athletes accepted on the scheme in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland this year are:
- Evie Dilley, swimming (trains at Rainbow Leisure Centre) – bronze medallist at 2022 European Junior Championships in 200m backstroke
- Lois Creasey, athletics (trains at Middlesbrough Sports Village) - 800m gold medallist at North East County Championships
- Millie Shaw, swimming (trains at Loftus Leisure Centre) – 50m breaststroke gold medallist at 2022 Scottish National Age Group Championships
- Niala Reed, netball (trains at Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart) – Cleveland Classics under-14s player and Elite Netball Academy brand ambassador
Alongside free access to Everyone Active centres, Sporting Champions will also have the chance to receive valuable mentoring and guidance from an impressive panel of Elite athletes.
The scheme’s all-star line-up of decorated Olympians and Paralympians includes Middlesbrough’s Richard Kilty, Jennifer and Jessica Gadirova, Lutalo Muhammad, Lauren Steadman, Kadeena Cox and Maisie Summers-Newton.
Throughout the year, 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.
Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson will also continue to support the scheme through his role as an Ambassador, working alongside the Elite athletes to make sport more accessible within local communities.
Tokyo 2020 paratriathlon champion and cross-country skier Lauren Steadman said: “I’m super proud to be an Elite athlete for this year’s Sporting Champions scheme, helping to mentor, guide and inspire up-and-coming athletes in their sporting careers.
“The fact there is now a brand creating opportunities and supporting younger athletes to achieve their full potential is amazing. I hope I can share my knowledge and experience with the Sporting Champions through our mentoring days and that together we can create an incredible future generation of athletes.”
Paul Ayre, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme has been very successful in providing exceptional support to emerging talent and we are delighted to be once again supporting athletes from Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland on their journey to success.
“It’s fantastic to see how the scheme has expanded over the years, now providing more than 1,000 athletes nationwide with access to top-quality training facilities and support.
“As a leisure provider working in partnership with local councils, 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 the relaunch of the scheme will bring this year.”
Cllr Philippa Storey, Middlesbrough Council’s Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Culture & Education, said: “Supporting our young athletes to excel to their highest potential is something the scheme can be very proud of.”
Cllr Lisa Belshaw, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “This is an excellent scheme that has previously had fantastic success with a reach to people in all parts of our community and I’m delighted that it is being relaunched. Good luck to everyone involved.”
To find out more, visit the Everyone Active Sporting Champions website.