Rising sports stars in Sutton are being encouraged to apply for a talent scheme fronted by Olympians and Paralympians.

Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme is relaunching this month for the ninth consecutive year to help promising athletes take their sporting careers to the next level.

The initiative gives budding sportsmen and women access to top-notch training facilities and mentoring from Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Since it began in 2016, the scheme has helped more than 6,000 athletes by providing free access to Everyone Active's 240-plus leisure centres nationwide.

This includes Cheam Leisure Centre, David Weir Leisure Centre, The Phoenix Centre, and Westcroft Leisure Centre in Sutton, which are run in partnership with Sutton Council.

Sutton athletes Jade Ive and Greg Cackett are among those who have benefited from the programme.

Jade said: "As an elite pole vaulter, I have high demands of different types of training.

"The Sporting Champions scheme offers me the freedom to train where I need to.

"It’s such an important feature in my desires to fulfil my dreams.

"You need a strong foundation to build something great and I feel I have that with this scheme."

Greg said: "Even as I come to the twilight of my Olympic career, the Sporting Champions scheme continues to be an essential tool in my training armoury.

"For me, it provides access to the fantastic David Weir Leisure Centre in Sutton.

"This venue is the only indoor athletic facility near home and training there when not based with the British Bobsleigh team at the University of Bath has been pivotal in keeping me on track for 2026 Olympic success.

"I am immensely grateful to the whole team at Everyone Active for this support."

Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson will return as the scheme’s ambassador for 2025-2026.

He will join a team of Elite athletes, including Lauren Steadman, Lutalo Muhammad, Richard Kilty, Maisie Summers-Newton, and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, to provide mentoring sessions throughout the year.

These sporting heroes will offer their wisdom, guidance, and expert advice to help athletes through 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.

Fourteen of these athletes made their debuts at Paris 2024, coming home with 11 medals between them.

Colin said: "After a summer of monumental success in 2024, 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 eight years, the Sporting Champions scheme has invested more than £2 million into young athletes, underlining its commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.

Rebecca Eyles, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: "We are delighted to support up-and-coming athletes from Sutton on their journey to success.

"As a leisure provider working in partnership with Sutton Council, we feel it is 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 are proud to be continuing this again in 2025.

"We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes’ success."

Applications for the scheme open on February 11, 2025, and run until March 11, 2025, via the Everyone Active Sporting Champions website: easportingchampions.com.

For more information on how to apply, follow the Sporting Champions Instagram: @easportingchamps.