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Yorkshire Coast Athletes Invited To Join Prestigious Talent Development Programme

Aspiring sports stars across the Yorkshire Coast are invited to apply for the latest iteration of the Everyone Active Sporting Champions scheme, which offers elite mentoring and facility access as it marks its 10th anniversary.

Up-and-coming athletes living along the Yorkshire Coast are being presented with a unique opportunity to elevate their sporting careers. The Everyone Active Sporting Champions scheme has officially relaunched this month, marking a decade of supporting grassroots excellence across the United Kingdom, including sites in Scarborough, Whitby, and the wider Ryedale region.

The programme is designed to bridge the gap between amateur talent and professional achievement by providing athletes with free access to local facilities. Participants will be able to utilise venues managed in partnership with North Yorkshire Council, such as Scarborough Sports Village, Whitby Leisure Centre, and the Pindar Leisure Centre, alongside sites including Ryedale Swim and Fitness Centre, Ryedale Sports Centre, and Derwent Swim and Fitness Centre. A new feature for 2026 includes the ‘You+’ membership for athletes over 16, which focuses on personalised holistic health and wellbeing.

The scheme boasts an impressive mentorship roster led by Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder, Colin Jackson, who returns as the programme’s ambassador. He will be joined by a panel of elite sports figures, including Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Maisie Summers-Newton, Emma Finucane, Lauren Steadman, and Richard Kilty. These mentors aim to provide expert guidance to the next generation of competitors.

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.

Since its inception nine years ago, the initiative has invested more than £2 million into the careers of over 6,000 athletes. Peter Smith, contract manager at Everyone Active, emphasised the importance of these local partnerships in fostering regional talent.

We are delighted to support up-and-coming athletes from North Yorkshire on their journey to success. As a leisure provider working in partnership with North Yorkshire Council, 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.

Beyond the sporting programme, Everyone Active has also introduced its 2026-27 Community Champions scheme. This initiative seeks to recognise local unsung heroes who are driving positive change through projects focused on inclusivity, health, and environmental or cultural improvement. Successful applicants will be granted facility access to help further their community work.

Those interested in applying for any of these schemes have until Friday, 20 March, to submit their applications via the official Everyone Active Champions website at https://ea-champions.com/

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