Local Team GB fencer Ben Andrews and Westminster City Council were both celebrated at Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions Awards on Wednesday 30 October.
Held at Porchester Hall in Bayswater and hosted by Team GB’s double world 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson, the event highlighted the exceptional achievements of athletes and local partnerships across the country.
Though unable to attend personally, Lauren Steadman, a triple world champion and six-time European champion, presented Ben’s award, applauding his recent accomplishments and his commitment to British fencing.
The accolade comes on the heels of Ben’s impressive achievements, including regaining his British Championship title in April 2024.
The Sporting Champions programme by Everyone Active is a nationwide initiative developed to support aspiring athletes.
Offering financial assistance, mentoring from elite Olympians and access to more than 230 leisure facilities, the programme provides budding athletes with crucial resources for their training and development.
This year alone, athletes from the programme claimed 23 medals at the Olympics and Paralympics, with 14 athletes making their debut on the international stage. Currently, 1,400 athletes are involved in the scheme across England.
In Westminster, the scheme operates in conjunction with the ActiveWestminster Champions of the Future programme, and Ben trains locally at Marshall Street Leisure Centre, managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Westminster City Council.
At the awards, Westminster City Council was recognised as Local Authority Partner of the Year, selected from more than 65 partnerships across England, underscoring the council’s ongoing support for the Sporting Champions programme.
The awards ceremony was preceded by a mentoring workshop, led by the scheme’s team of Elite athletes. Richard Kilty, Maisie Summers-Newton and Lauren Steadman starred on the Paris 2024 stage, and they were joined for the workshop by Olympians Lutalo Muhammad and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey to share their insights and experiences and help guide the Sporting Champions athletes in their own careers.
Andy Davison, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active. “Ben’s recognition is a testament to his incredible dedication and skill. Our Sporting Champions scheme, in partnership with ActiveWestminster’s Champions of the Future programme, is designed to support and elevate emerging talent, and Ben exemplifies the very best of what we aim to achieve.
“His success not only highlights his personal journey but also demonstrates the potential of our talent development programme. We hope his achievements will inspire more young athletes in Westminster to pursue their passions and strive for excellence in their sports.
“Congratulations also go to Westminster City Council for being named Everyone Active’s Local Authority Partner of the Year, selected from more than 65 leisure partnerships across England – a testament to the strength of collaboration in driving and sustaining sporting success.”
Cllr Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “We are extremely proud of this award which recognises the council’s commitment to the Champions of the Future programme. And we extend a huge congratulations to Team GB fencer, and Westminster local, Ben Andrews for his award win.
“We are committed to giving residents and athletes from the city the platform to develop their skills and talents to achieve their life and health goals”.
To find out more about the Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, visit www.easportingchampions.com or https://active.westminster.gov.uk/champions-of-the-future/
