A mother and daughter from Woking have been selected for a prestigious national sports talent programme.

Kim and Sofia Valente, who both train at Woking Leisure Centre, are among 19 athletes from the borough to be accepted onto Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme for 2026/27.

Kim is a reigning world champion in natural bodybuilding and accomplished athletics competitor, while Sofia is one of the South East’s brightest young artistic gymnasts, having won a silver medal at the British National Grades Championships.

The pair recently attended Woking Leisure Centre’s Community Fun Day, where they met Team GB athlete and TV personality Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

Kim Valente said: “As a World Champion natural bodybuilder, having access to the excellent facilities at Woking Leisure has been instrumental in supporting my training. The gym is exceptionally well equipped to meet the demands of high-performance sport, and the wider support available through the Sporting Champions scheme has been fantastic.

“Seeing Sofia achieve her selection to the 2026 GB Development Squad is an incredibly proud moment. It’s very special that we’re able to share this journey together as we both prepare for our upcoming competitions.”

Her daughter, Sofia Valente, said: “I’m so excited to have been selected for the 2026 GB Development Squad. Alongside my regular gymnastics training at my club, being able to use the facilities at Woking Leisure has helped me develop my strength, conditioning and flexibility.

“Meeting elite athletes like Harry Aikines-Aryeetey through the Sporting Champions mentorship programme has been incredibly inspiring. His advice and encouragement have helped me grow in confidence and strengthen my mental preparation for competitions. I’m really grateful for all the opportunities the scheme has given me.”

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, with 19 successful applicants from Woking who will receive free access to Everyone Active facilities, including Woking Leisure Centre, Pool in the Park, Eastwood Leisure Centre and Woking Sportsbox.

Athletes will also receive invaluable 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, hands-on workshops are designed to equip aspiring athletes with the practical tools and techniques needed to perform at their best. In addition, Sporting Champions 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 Everyone Active’s 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.

Daniel Healy, Everyone Active’s 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 from Woking each year is always amazing to see, and we are excited to be supporting more athletes than ever on their journey to sporting success.

“As a leisure provider working in partnership with Woking 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.”

To find out more about Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, visit ea-champions.com/sporting-champions/ or follow @easportingchamps on Instagram. For further information on Everyone Active, visit www.everyoneactive.com.