Sporting Champions has been created and funded by Sport England to take world-class athletes into schools and local communities to inspire and motivate young people to take part in sport.

Sporting Champions undertake about 450 visits each year, bringing world-class athletes into schools and local communities across the country.

The main goal of the scheme is to show young people sport can and should be fun. In effect, the Sporting Champions scheme helps young people get the sporting habit.

The scheme uses athletes from a diverse mix of sports, including ‘traditional’ sports such as athletics and football to weight-lifting and wheelchair basketball. Sporting Champions from past and present include Steve Backley (javelin thrower), Steve Redgrave (rower) and Sue Smith (footballer).

A Sporting Champion visit can help to:

• Raise awareness of sport and the benefits of getting active
• Engage and enthuse young people about sport
• Increase the profile of a variety of sports and local sports clubs
• Improve behaviour in the local community
• Motivate young people in their wider lives
• Raise the profile of a particular event

For more information about the scheme, please visit the Sporting Champions website at www.sportingchampions.org.uk

Please note:
Obviously demand is high for visits from Sporting Champions and the scheme is unable to meet all requests. As a result, visits are allocated rather than applied for.