press release: Everyone Active
Local athletes, colleagues and community groups triumph at Everyone Active’s Champions Awards
The winners have been crowned at Everyone Active’s prestigious Champions Awards, celebrating the achievements of community groups, inspiring athletes and supportive colleagues.
The event was hosted by Team GB’s double world 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Ten awards were presented across three schemes: Community Champions, Colleague Champions and Sporting Champions.
The celebration was kicked off by Olympic and Paralympic superstars, including Maisie Summers-Newton, Lauren Steadman and Richard Kilty, announcing several winners from the Sporting Champions scheme.
Recognising athletes who have had career successes and engaged in the scheme at their local Everyone Active centre, the awards also recognised those who have helped to inspire other up-and-coming sportsmen and women.
Two Community Champions awards were also announced at the awards event, which aims to celebrate unsung heroes making a difference.
Everyone Active wants to support projects which are tackling local issues and changing lives, with the aim of building stronger communities and recognising the dedication of those who go above and beyond.
People involved in mentoring, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting inclusivity or leading environmental or cultural projects are urged to apply for the 2026-27 scheme. Applications open for all schemes from 20 February 2026 until 20 March 2026.
Successful applicants will secure valuable use of facilities within their local leisure centres, to help them carry out these projects. Everyone Active will raise awareness of this work to strengthen connections, encourage civic engagement and foster a culture of giving back.
Meanwhile, the Colleague Champions scheme recognises and rewards colleagues who consistently go above and beyond in their roles. Two further awards were announced at the awards, to deserving colleagues who had been nominated for their support at leisure facilities across the country.
David Bibby, Everyone Active’s managing director, said: “Our congratulations go to all of the award winners for their fantastic and well-deserved achievements.
“As a leisure provider working in partnership with more than 65 local authority partners, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community, and we hope to continue making a real difference to the athletes, individuals and community groups we support.”
To apply for Sporting Champions, Community Champions or Colleague Champions in 2026-27, visit the Everyone Active Champions website: Everyone Champions | The Home of Champions. Keep up with the latest Sporting Champions news by following @easportingchamps on Instagram.
Champions Award Winners:
- Sporting Champion Social Media Champion of the Year: Jono Harradine
- Sporting Champion Community Athlete of the Year: Michel Archange Obiang Oyono
- Sporting Champion Young Athlete of the Year: Hollie Goodwin
- Sporting Champion National Athlete of the Year: Reggie Robinson
- Sporting Champion Everyone Active Site of the Year: Flitwick Leisure Centre
- Sporting Champion Local Authority Partner of the Year: Derby City Council
- Colleague Champion Stephen Hulme Award for Inspirational Colleague: Jennifer Taylor
- Colleague Champion Outstanding Team Member: Dawn Jones
- Community Champion Local Hero Award: Megan Pinder
- Community Champion Outstanding Community Project: The Y.E.S. Project
Pete Williams, business development director
Ben Beevers, group development director
– Steve Hughes, project manager, Somerset West & Taunton Council
