Seventeen athletes from the Winchester district have been selected for Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme, offering local sportspeople free use of elite facilities alongside mentoring and personal development support as they progress towards national and international competition.
Local talent given access and mentoring
The cohort includes world-class shot putter Scott Lincoln, who trains at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park. Lincoln, a member of this year’s intake, finished eighth at the World Championships and fourth at the European Indoor Championships, and is now targeting medals at the World Indoor Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships.
The scheme, now marking its tenth anniversary, is intended to remove financial and logistical barriers for rising talent by delivering complimentary facility access and tailored support. For Winchester athletes, that means training time at local Everyone Active sites combined with guidance from experienced coaches and mentors.
“Many congratulations to the athletes from our district who have been selected as local Sporting Champions. The scheme is a fantastic opportunity for the athletic stars of the future to use our Everyone Active facilities in the Winchester district free of charge, whilst also benefitting from a range of mentoring and support,” said Cllr Kelsie Learney, Winchester City Council cabinet member for the climate and nature emergency.
Range of sports and achievements
Selected athletes represent a cross-section of disciplines. Among those highlighted in the announcement were swimmers who have competed at international level for Special Olympics and Swim England teams, demonstrating the scheme’s reach across mainstream and disability sport.
- Scott Lincoln — world-class shot putter based at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park.
- Caitlin Hatfield — European Down syndrome swimming champion, holder of multiple British records and two European silver medals.
- Pravin Mahendrakumar — swimmer who has represented Team Swim England at the Euromeet in Luxembourg.
Local officials have framed the programme as an investment in the district’s sporting fabric. With Winchester’s leisure facilities hosting national-calibre athletes, council and operators say the initiative will also raise the profile of community provision and inspire younger residents.
What the scheme offers
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions package bundles complimentary access to gym and pool facilities with mentoring, personal development and opportunities to work with elite coaches and athletes. For those training in Winchester, the arrangement reduces the cost burden of elite preparation and creates clearer pathways from community-level sport to higher competitive tiers.
| Athlete | Sport | Noted achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Lincoln | Shot put | Eighth at World Championships; fourth at European Indoors; targeting World Indoor, Commonwealth, European Championships |
| Caitlin Hatfield | Swimming (Down syndrome) | European champion; two European silver medals; multiple British records |
| Pravin Mahendrakumar | Swimming | Represented Team Swim England at Euromeet in Luxembourg |
Officials involved say the local dimension is important: athletes using Winchester facilities benefit from being based near home, limiting travel pressures for those balancing study, work and training. That commuter-belt reality — the need to combine daily life with elite preparation — is a constant for many aspiring performers in the South East.
For the Winchester district, the presence of athletes competing on global stages underlines the value of continued investment in public leisure provision. The scheme also offers a platform for community engagement: as champions train locally, their visibility can encourage participation at grassroots level and strengthen links between clubs, schools and leisure centres.
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions initiative is now in its tenth year. For further details about the local cohort, facility access and support available, residents are advised to contact their local Everyone Active centre or Winchester City Council.
