Young athletes across Rochford are being urged to follow in the footsteps of local national and European baton-twirling champion Chantelle Halford as Everyone Active launches its Olympic-backed talent development scheme for the first time in the district.
The Sporting Champions programme, which has already helped more than 6,000 aspiring athletes nationwide, is launching for the first time in the Rochford district, as operator Everyone Active takes over local leisure facilities.
The 15-year contract awarded by Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council came into effect on 1 April 2025, seeing Everyone Active take over the management of Clements Hall Leisure Centre and Rayleigh Leisure Centre, and continue to manage The Brentwood Centre and Hartswood Pavilion in King George's Playing Fields.
Sporting Champions is Everyone Active’s sports talent development scheme designed to assist the country's next generation of superstar athletes. Aspiring athletes in Rochford have one month to apply, starting today.
Successful athletes on the scheme will benefit from free access to state-of-the-art training facilities at Everyone Active's 240 leisure facilities nationwide – including the facilities at Rayleigh Leisure Centre and Clements Hall Leisure Centre.
In addition to facility access, athletes will also receive mentoring support from Olympians and Paralympians. A serious of in person sessions offer aspiring athletes the chance to meet with Olympians and ask questions about various topics such as nutrition, fitness, event preparation, mental health and social media.
Chantelle Halford – a multi-time National and European Champion in Baton Twirling – is a testament to the programme's success, having been on the scheme since 2023, using Brentwood facilities.
After overcoming a significant injury that forced her withdrawal from the World Championships, she has bounced back through months of physiotherapy and is now training and competing at the highest level.
Her achievements last year included retaining her European Champion title and winning the Senior European Championship in the Twirl Team event alongside her team Innovation in Eindhoven.
Chantelle uses The Brentwood Centre four times a week for her training and visited Clements Hall Leisure Centre this morning to officially launch the scheme in Rochford.
Chantelle is looking forward to a busy year, stating: "I am proud to announce that I will be representing England in the European Championships held in Spain this July. I will also be competing in the World Championships this August, held in Italy. I am super excited for the upcoming international competitions later this year.”
Speaking about the Sporting Champions scheme, which is open to both existing leisure centre members and undiscovered sporting talents, Chantelle said: “I am beyond thankful to the Everyone Active Sporting Champions scheme for allowing me access to the facilities.
“In Essex, it is extremely hard to find sports halls with high ceilings appropriate for twirling. The Brentwood centre is perfect for my training and I would encourage aspiring athletes to apply!”
Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson CBE serves as the scheme's ambassador, leading a star-studded lineup of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Shaun Beagle, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “Today marks an exciting milestone for local athletes in Rochford. Our Sporting Champions programme is about more than just facilities – it's about breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for every athlete, regardless of their background or starting point. Athletes like Chantelle demonstrate exactly what's possible when we provide the right support and resources.
"Since 2016, we've supported thousands of athletes on their sporting journeys. By investing in local talent and providing high quality training environments, we're not just supporting individual athletes, we're investing in the future of sport in our community."
Councillor Lisa Newport, Chair of the Community, Wellbeing and Housing Committee at Rochford District Council, added: "It’s great that Everyone Active are bringing their Sporting Champions scheme to the district. As Chantelle has shown, it plays a vital role in nurturing and empowering young athletes to help them achieve their sporting ambitions. This scheme also reflects our commitment to supporting talent and making sports accessible to all.”
Successful applicants will gain access to Everyone Active's facilities in Rochford, with Clements Hall and Rayleigh Leisure Centres currently undergoing upgrades, including the installation of cutting-edge fitness equipment designed to support athletes at every level of their sporting journey.
Applications will close on 30 April 2025. Aspiring athletes can apply via easportingchampions.com.
For more information, follow @easportingchamps on Instagram.