Up-and-coming athletes around Surrey and Hants take note: It’s time to take your sporting careers to the next level through the Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme.

Now in its ninth consecutive year, the nationwide programme is now open for 2025 applications, offering aspiring athletes access to training facilities and mentoring support from Olympians and Paralympians.

More than 6,000 athletes have taken part in the scheme since 2016 at a cost of more than £2million to Everyone Active.

These athletes have had free access to Everyone Active's 240-plus leisure centres nationwide, which include Alton Sports Centre; Farnham Leisure Centre; Haslemere Leisure Centre; Taro Leisure Centre, Petersfield; and Whitehill & Bordon Leisure Centre.

One local budding athlete who has benefitted from the scheme is Logan McAlister, a racing driver from the Hindhead area who’s now in the fast lane to sporting fame.

He said: “As a young racing driver, fitness plays an integral part in my motorsport career away from the racetrack.

“I work with my personal trainer at the Everyone Active gym at least twice a week. The facilities are incredible and I would not be as strong as I am today without the help of the Sporting Champions scheme.”

He added: “I was lucky enough to attend the mentoring days throughout 2024 and meet some incredible athletes.

“Hearing the stories of their individual journeys and their pathways to success, has given me the drive and determination to succeed in a very competitive industry, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Colin Jackson, former sprint and hurdling athlete who won not just an Olympic silver medal but was a world record holder for almost 27 years, will return as the scheme’s Ambassador for 2025-2026.

He will work alongside a line-up of Olympic and Paralympic athletes in offering guidance and expert advice to rising athletes.

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.”

Steve Little, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are delighted to support up-and-coming athletes on their journey to success.

“As a leisure provider working in partnership with councils, 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 are open until March 11 via the Everyone Active Sporting Champions website: www.ea-sportingchampions.com