Sisters Maria (15) and Helena Smolinska (13), from Aldershot, have secured places on Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme for 2026/27.
Maria, who competes in volleyball, has recently represented England Under-18 at the Cascais Volley Cup in Portugal. She has also been selected for the South East regional squad for a second consecutive year and helped South Bucks reach the Under-16 Cup Finals, where the team finished runners-up nationally.
Maria said: "I am really excited to be selected for the Everyone Active Sporting Champions programme. Volleyball has become a huge part of my life and this opportunity will help me continue developing as an athlete, learn from experienced sportspeople and work towards my future goals."
Helena, who competes in baton twirling, is a national champion, having claimed two national titles at this year's BBTF National Championships. She has been training since the age of two and a half and has enjoyed success across multiple disciplines at national level.
Helena said: "I feel very proud to be chosen for the Sporting Champions programme. Baton twirling is something I love, and I'm excited to learn new things, build my confidence and continue improving as an athlete."
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme has helped more than 6,000 athletes achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to state-of-the-art facilities at more than 250 leisure centres nationwide.
This year, a record 1,700 athletes have been accepted onto the renowned programme. As successful applicants from Rushmoor, Maria and Helena will receive free access to Everyone Active facilities, including Aldershot Pools and Fitness Centre.
Athletes will also receive mentoring from an all-star panel of Olympic and Paralympic medallists, world champions and Commonwealth champions, including Lauren Steadman, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Emma Finucane, Maisie Summers-Newton and Richard Kilty.
These sporting stars will share their experience and expertise through group mentoring sessions covering topics including mental wellbeing, nutrition, managing finances, social media and media training.
The innovative workshops are designed to equip aspiring athletes with the practical tools and techniques needed to perform at their best. In addition, Sporting Champions participants will take part in bite-sized webinars delivered in collaboration with national governing bodies.
New for the 2026/27 programme, athletes aged 16 and over will receive access to the You+ membership, designed to promote holistic health and wellbeing through personalised support.
Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson CBE will continue as ambassador for the Sporting Champions scheme, working alongside the elite athlete mentors 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 just months away, 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 invested more than £2 million in aspiring athletes, demonstrating its long-term commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, 26 current and former Sporting Champions competed, collectively winning nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals.
Karl Miles, Everyone Active's Regional Contract Manager, said: "We are delighted to be providing exceptional support to this year's cohort who have been accepted onto Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme.
"The profound impact Sporting Champions has on emerging talent is always amazing to see, and we are excited to be able to support athletes from Rushmoor on their journey to sporting success.
"As a leisure provider working in partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community. We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes' success and are excited to see what success stories the scheme will bring this year."
Councillor Sophie Porter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities and Active Lives at Rushmoor Borough Council, added: "It's wonderful that this support is available to help our local athletes reach their full sporting potential. We are absolutely delighted for Maria and Helena and wish them every success in the future."
To find out more please visit Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme website or follow @easportingchamps on Instagram.
You can also visit the Everyone Active website.
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