The ActiveWestminster Champions of the Future programme gives Westminster’s gifted and talented athletes an opportunity to access financial support and mentoring to help with training and development.
Applications for the Champions of the Future are NOW OPEN
How to apply
The window for applications is open until the 11th March 2025.
To be considered for the Champions of the Future programme, you must first make an application for Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme.
Qualifying criteria
Athletes admitted on to the scheme are selected based on their sporting success and the level at which they compete.
To be considered for the programme applicants must:
- Live, study or work in Westminster
- Be registered with a National Governing Body affiliated club and either:
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- be ranked in the top 20 at a regional competition in the current year (2024 – 2025), or
- be a member of a regional squad (age band to senior) with regional squad results in the current championship year (2024 – 2025).
Apply Now by completing Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions form on the button below.
The process
Please note that if Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme does not provide a bursary with their award, the Champions of the Future programme might still be able to if athletes are successful with their application. (In order to do access this funding, athletes just need to confirm their consent at the bottom of the application page).
Once you have submitted your Sporting Champions application, those who qualify for the ActiveWestminster Champion of the Future programme will be contacted upon fulfilment of the qualification criteria as set out above.
Those who are successfully admitted on to the Champion of the Future programme can be awarded a sum of financial support regardless of the type of package selected when applying for Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions Sponsorship.
In addition to receiving developmental and financial support, successful athletes are partnered with a local primary school to help inspire young people to be more active and lead healthier lives, as part of Westminster City Council’s strategy. This may involve 1-2 informal visits over the course of the year to meet with students and talk about your sporting endeavours.
Benefits
The programme is open to athletes aged 12 and above. Athletes will be selected on sporting success and the level at which they are competing.
If you compete at district, regional or national level, you could get:
- Funding to be used for travel, equipment and accommodation
- Free access to Everyone Active leisure centres across the UK
- Free access to development and support through our partnership with King’s College London, including workshops and 1-2-1 physiotherapy.
- The opportunity to be recognised in ActiveWestminster Awards and other regional awards.
- Help to gain coaching qualifications and the opportunity to apply for roles with Everyone Active
Our Champions of the Future – 2024 Intake
Check below this year’s list of of Westminster Champions of the Future athletes.

Bryan Leong
Butterfly Swimming

Connor McHale
Ultimate Frisbee
BIO
National Champion 6 times
European Champion 4 times
Team GB medallist (World Bronze, European Gold, European Bronze)
Silver medal in the US national finals (2023)
4th with GB at the European Grass Championships
3rd at the World Beach Championships
2nd at UK Nationals
1st at European Championships

Dylan Traves
Karate
BIO
1st Place Senior Male Kata British Championships 2023
2nd Place Senior Male Kata British International Open 2023
EUSA European University Combat Games 2023 2nd Place
EUSA European University Games 2022 3rd Place
2x BUCS Individual Male Kata Champion
2x BUCS Individual Male Kata 2nd Place
4x BUCS Team Kata Champion
1x BUCS Team Kumite Champion
1x BUCS Team Kumite Champion 3rd Place
WKF Senior World Ranking 91st (January 2024)

Felix Thomis
Table Tennis
BIO
Quarterfinalist Swedish Safir International (U20’s)
Semifinalist Finlandia Senior Open
Active Westminster Sports Personality of the Year award winner
Band 1 Men’s Preston Grand Prix winner
Band 1 Men’s Crawley Grand Prix winner
U19 England Schools National Champion
Senior Men’s National Qualifiers 3rd place

Johnny Bray
Triathlon

Melita Emanuel-Carr
Basketball

Samuel Chapman
Basketball

Zahra Butt
Taekwondo