Published: Wednesday, 22nd July 2026
Aspiring athletes in Cannock Chase are set to gain vital support as part of a sports talent development programme.
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has helped more than 6,000 athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to state-of-the-art facilities at Everyone Active’s 250-plus leisure sites across the country.
That portfolio now includes Chase Leisure Centre and Rugeley Leisure Centre, after Everyone Active took over the running of those sites in April, in partnership with Chase District Council.
A record 1,700 athletes have been accepted on the renowned scheme this year. Among the seven athletes to secure their places in Cannock Chase are:
• Triathlete Ben Allen, 17, who finished second in the under-17 category at the National Cross Country Championships in Sedgefield in February. Ben trains at Chase Leisure Centre
• Obstacle racer Aaron Johns, 17, who competed in the European OCR Championships in May, and trains at Chase Leisure Centre
• Middle distance runner, Kamil Kolodziej, 18, a gold medallist at county schools level who trains at Rugeley Leisure Centre
Alongside free access to Everyone Active centres, Sporting Champions will also receive valuable mentoring and guidance from an impressive panel of Elite athletes comprising Olympic and Paralympic medallists, world champions and Commonwealth champions.
The scheme’s all-star line-up of top athletes includes Lauren Steadman, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Emma Finucane, Maisie Summers-Newton and Richard Kilty.
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.
These innovative, hands-on workshops are designed to equip up-and-coming athletes with the practical tools and techniques needed to be at the top of their game. In addition, Sporting Champions will take part in bitesize webinars in collaboration with national governing bodies.
New for 2026-27, athletes over 16 will receive access to the You+ membership, designed to promote holistic health and wellbeing and centred around individual needs.
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder, Colin Jackson CBE, will continue to fulfil the role of ambassador for the scheme, working alongside the Elite athletes to make sport more accessible within local communities.
Colin said: "I am incredibly passionate about nurturing young talent and the Sporting Champions scheme goes above and beyond in this mission. With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow taking place in July and August, I am more excited than ever to support athletes of all ages and from all disciplines to achieve their dreams.
“My role is to pass my knowledge, experience and expertise on to the next generation of super-talented athletes. Seeing these future champions flourish throughout each year as they gain confidence fuels my excitement for what's to come."
Over the past nine years, the Sporting Champions scheme has poured more than £2million into young athletes, proving its commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, no fewer than 26 Sporting Champions competed, taking home nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals collectively.
Dan Mclean, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “We are delighted to be providing exceptional support to this year’s cohort who have been accepted on Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme.
“The profound impact Sporting Champions has on emerging talent each year is always amazing to see, and we are excited to be supporting more athletes than ever on their journey to sporting success.
“As a leisure provider working in partnership with Cannock Chase District Council, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community. We hope to make a real difference to our athletes’ success and are excited to see what success stories the scheme will bring this year.”
Councillor Mark Deakin, Portfolio Leader for Leisure and Culture at Cannock Chase Council, said: “We are delighted to see seven talented young athletes from Cannock Chase recognised through Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme. This fantastic programme not only provides access to high-quality training facilities at Chase and Rugeley Leisure Centres but also offers invaluable mentoring and support from some of the country’s most successful athletes.
“As a council, we are committed to helping residents of all ages lead active, healthy lives and achieve their full potential. It is inspiring to see local sports stars being given the opportunity to develop their talents and pursue their ambitions, and we look forward to following their progress and celebrating their future successes.”
To find out more about the Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, visit ea-champions.com/sporting-champions/ or follow @easportingchamps on Instagram. For further information on Everyone Active, visit www.everyoneactive.com