Up-and-coming athletes in Ashfield are set to gain much-needed support as part of a sports talent development programme.

Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, now in its eighth year, has helped more than 5,000 athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active’s 230-plus leisure facilities, including Lammas Leisure Centre, Kirkby Leisure Centre, and Hucknall Leisure Centre.

Among the athletes accepted on the scheme in Ashfield is ice skater Cara Leigh Sisson, who has won three national gold medals over the past year and trains at Lammas Leisure Centre, Sutton.

Alongside free access to Everyone Active centres, Sporting Champions will also receive mentoring and guidance from a panel of elite athletes, some of whom look set to compete at Paris 2024. The scheme’s all-star line-up of decorated Olympians and Paralympians includes Jennifer and Jessica Gadirova, Lutalo Muhammad, Richard Kilty, Lauren Steadman and Maisie Summers-Newton, while new to the panel for 2024 is GB sprint star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

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.

Colin said: “I’m passionate about nurturing young talent and the Sporting Champions scheme goes above and beyond in this mission. With the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in Paris this summer, the programme takes on even greater significance in 2024. Seeing these future champions flourish fuels my excitement for what’s to come.”

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, 30 Sporting Champions competed, taking home five gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Lorenzo Clark, Everyone Active 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 Ashfield 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 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 the relaunch of the scheme will bring this year.”

Coun Jason Zadrozny, leader of the council, added: “Our continued investment into first class leisure and sports facilities across Ashfield demonstrates our commitment to helping everyone live healthier and happier lives, while also providing the infrastructure to help talented young athletes reach their full potential.”

To find out more about the Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, visit www.easportingchampions.com or follow @easportingchamps on Instagram. For further information on Everyone Active, visit www.everyoneactive.com