This programme will support athletes competing at a national or regional level in their designated sport. Our programme is designed to help and support athletes to get to that next step in their sporting achievement by providing free access to much needed training facilities. Membership is open to all sportspeople, including those with disabilities who meet the eligibility criteria when applying. Online applications will be accepted throughout the year.
You must complete an online application form and provide current information. This must be backed up by written evidence from your respective National Governing Body on letter headed paper and you must meet one of the criteria below:
These must be sporting activities and governing bodies recognised by the Sports Councils of Sports England & Sports Wales and include Disability Sports
If you are under 18, you must obtain parental consent to join the programme and anyone under 16 must be supervised by an adult at all time whilst attending the facility (the adult must be a paying customer/member or spectator only which will be free of charge)
You must live within the local authority catchment area or 10 miles of a local Parkwood, Subsidiary Companies and Partners facility
A member of the England Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Squad, Willow-Mae is already a multi-time British Champion across several apparatuses at just 12 years old. This programme assists her long-term goal of reaching the 2032 Olympics by offering specialised strength, conditioning, and plyometric training areas.
Gabriel has rapidly ascended to become one of the UK’s top 15 backstroke swimmers after starting his journey in "Learn to Swim" lessons. This programme strengthens his pursuit of a national podium finish by granting him access to the professional training environment and equipment required for elite performance.
Yasmin is a high-level competitor in both netball and swimming, recently selected for the NPL long squad and qualifying for the Winter Regionals. This programme advances her athletic journey by providing the elite gym and pool facilities she needs to build power and reduce injury risk while balancing her medical career aspirations.
Yasmine is a Great Britain water polo player and Devon League gold medallist who competes in the National League for Exeter Women. This programme empowers her development by providing the pool and gym access essential for both water-based and land-based conditioning. Such support is vital as she builds the athletic resilience required to pursue her goals of competing at the European Championships, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.
Paul is a resilient triathlete who recently qualified to represent Great Britain in the Age Group Middle Distance category following a two-year illness. An Ironman Estonia finisher, he now supports the local community as a run lead for the Torbay Tri Club. This programme gives him the foundation for his training and combines gym, pool, and velopark facilities in one location to help him balance elite-level sport with his professional life.
Keeley is a dedicated netball player who competes at the regional level and has recently been scouted for the Saracens Mavericks U17 player pathway. Her commitment to the sport is driven by the teamwork and high-speed nature of the game, which has led her to represent her school, club, and county. This programme provides her with the essential gym access needed to follow a personalised strength and conditioning plan, which is vital for her progression into elite-level competition.
Debbie is an accomplished masters swimmer who recently secured three silver medals at the Swim Wales Masters Championships. With a background in competitive swimming since childhood, she returned to the sport later in life and has since achieved top-three national rankings in several events. She uses this membership to maintain the rigorous pool and gym schedule required to compete at a national level while balancing her commitments as a local teacher.
Darcie is a rising athletics talent and national record holder in the mixed 400m relay, specialising in hurdles, long jump, and the pentathlon. A South West U17 Long Jump runner-up, she is currently working toward becoming a regional champion while beginning her coaching journey to support younger athletes. She utilises this programme’s professional training environment to focus on explosive power and strength-based conditioning essential for her progression to the national level.
An elite paracanoeist and 2023 Rushcliffe Sports Person of the Year, Lindsay began her sport while learning to walk again following an amputation in 2016. Now a World Bronze and European Silver medallist, she relies on this membership to balance her international training with her work and studies.
William is a dedicated ice hockey player who has been competing since the age of seven and currently plays for the Nottingham NIHL 1 team. His commitment to the sport has seen him represent the Midlands at every junior age group and attend several England selection camps. Utilising these local fitness facilities is a key part of his off-ice conditioning, helping him build the physical strength and agility required to compete at a high level.
Roxie is a talented BMX rider who was ranked regional number one in the Cruiser category and recently finished 6th in the 2025 British Championships. Inspired by World Champion Beth Shriever, she is a dedicated competitor who also volunteers to support and mentor new riders in the BMX community. Gaining access to these gym facilities for the first time is essential for her to build the explosive power and endurance necessary to advance her racing career.
Rachel is a competitive swimmer who has achieved success at the Welsh Nationals, specialising in the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Currently training for the upcoming British Qualifiers, she is focused on refining her technique and improving her sprint times. Direct access to both the gym and pool ensures she can maintain the physical power and endurance needed to succeed at an elite level.
Ben is an experienced athlete who has represented England more than 20 times over a four-year period, competing in both European Championships and the 2024 World Cup. A career highlight includes winning a bronze medal at the 2024 World Cup and coaching the Mixed 15s Squad to European gold in 2022. Having access to these training facilities allows him to maintain a daily regimen as he continues to compete for his country at the highest level.
Andrew is an accomplished powerlifter and Commonwealth silver medallist who transitioned to the sport from rugby during the pandemic. He holds multiple titles, including England Bench Champion and European Deadlift record holder, and is now focused on securing a place on the Great Britain team. Having a local training venue through this scheme is invaluable, providing the consistent access to specialist equipment he needs to reach the next level of elite competition.
Ben is a resilient athlete who recently won silver in the 50m freestyle and bronze in tennis at the 2024 British Transplant Games. A brown belt in Karate, he has overcome significant health challenges from a young age to excel in competitive sport. Having access to the swimming pool and gym is vital for his ongoing strength building and core training as he prepares for future elite events.
Sam is an accomplished cyclist who discovered his passion for the sport during lockdown and has since achieved significant success, including becoming the Scottish National Under-16 Champion. A former member of the GB development squad and a current member of the Scottish squad, he is inspired by the resilience of Mark Cavendish. This programme provides essential support for his training and helps alleviate the considerable costs associated with competing in an unfunded sport.
Mia is an accomplished triathlete who secured an impressive eighth-place finish at the World Championships in Lausanne and recently placed third in the National Championship. Inspired by her former training partner and Olympic medallist Vicky Holland, she is currently preparing for the European Championships in Istanbul. Regular access to the pool and gym through this programme is vital for strengthening her swimming and maintaining her injury prevention routine.
Hannah is an elite distance runner who represented Great Britain in the 10K and half marathon, and competed in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Her training involves a rigorous combination of track work, treadmills, and essential strength training to maintain her competitive edge. The support provided by the programme is instrumental in allowing her to fully commit to her development and professional training schedule.
Chris is a dedicated cyclist who has successfully competed in several 100-mile events and the North Coast 500. Having overcome a significant injury, he is now focused on improving his power-to-weight ratio to compete in elite-level European climbs. Access to these gym facilities allows him to build the specific core strength and stability required for his upcoming high-altitude challenges.
Charlie is a dedicated para-cyclist who transitioned from rugby following a diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. Aiming to represent Great Britain at the 2028 Paralympics, he has already completed ten triathlons to raise money for CMT. He is utilising the programme to access high-quality strength and conditioning facilities vital for his performance and injury prevention.
Amrit is a talented swimmer who has competed at the regional level and currently holds a Bexley Swim Club record for the 100m Butterfly. He is committed to reaching the nationals and is utilising the programme to access extra swimming sessions and gym strength training. He is inspired by his idol, Michael Phelps, and is focused on achieving his highest potential in the sport.
Sam is a dedicated triathlete who has qualified to represent Britain for his age group in the European Championships. After a twenty-year rugby career, he transitioned to endurance sports and successfully completed Ironman Wales only two years after he started running. He is utilising the programme to challenge himself further as he progresses in his elite triathlon career.
Welcome onboard Taliesin, a dedicated triathlete who recently qualified for the 2025 World Championships in Nice by completing his first Ironman in under 11 hours. He is utilising the programme’s high-quality facilities to enhance his development by bringing all aspects of his elite training under one roof.
Rosie is an elite boxer and Olympic athlete for Team GB who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A career highlight includes winning a Gold medal for Team Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Rosie is using the Cardiff International Pool & Gym as a training base to aid her rehabilitation and enhance her future training.
Harry began running at age seven and has since represented Wales at the Association of Colleges National Championships. As a member of Cardiff Athletics, he has achieved a string of personal bests and regularly represents South Wales in track and cross country. Harry uses the programme’s weight training facilities to enhance his training quality and minimize the risk of injury.
Alfie began running at age eight with parkrun and is now a regular competitor for Cardiff Athletics Club. He has represented Wales twice in international track and cross-country events and recently finished 4th at the U20 Welsh Championships. Alfie utilizes the programme for strength and plyometric training to enhance his performance and support injury recovery.
Alexa has played netball since age six and currently represents the Cardiff Dragons in the Netball Performance League. She has earned places in the Wales National Academy and recently achieved her first international cap against Gibraltar. Through the programme, Alexa aims to build the power and speed necessary to reach the U19 Europe Netball Squad.
Dan first became involved in sailing at age eight and has since progressed into the Welsh Youth Sailing Pathway. He has achieved notable successes, including winning the Welsh Dragon Series for two consecutive years and placing 34th at the Topper World Championships. Dan is using the programme to improve his physical conditioning and endurance for long days on the water.
Welcome onboard Philip. Or Phil as he likes to be known as. Phil is an Olympian for Great Britain that competes at the highest level of his chosen sport (or event), the 3000m Steeplechase.
David Brown, from Torbay, competes in Duathlons . You may not have heard of the event but it is similar to a Triathlon, except there are two runs and a cycle as opposed to a cycle, run and swim.
Introducing 15 year old Jessie Hurtt! Jessie is an up and coming athlete in Canoe Polo (also known as Kayak Polo) - if you’re not sure what Canoe Polo is, imagine a game of water polo, but the competitors are in kayak’s.
Jason, 45, from Staffordshire is a high performance athlete competing at the very top level in his sport. The sport, however, may not be one that you have heard of.
Holly Jones is a 24 year old graduate in Exercise and Sports Science from Exeter University, and a very talented triathlete. Holly only started competing in the triathlon after finishing her degree at 21, when her boyfriend encouraged her to find a hobby.
Aaron Phipps is a 38 year old Paralympic champion after the Team GB Wheelchair Rugby Squad won Gold at Toky 2020. After contracting Meningitis C and Meningococcal Sepsis in 1999, Aaron continued his love of sport by taking up wheelchair racing, being the first disabled British person toscale Mount Kilimanjaro, and many other inspirational achievements.
Matthew Chronicle is an athlete that didn't find the sport he excelled at until being spotted through a talent programme at university. His talent for long distance running was picked up, although running doesn't necessarily have direct involvement in the sport he now participates in; the Biathlon. The Biathlon is a race combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, and Matthew dreams of completing a Biathlon in first place.
Daniel Rabbit is a 21 year old who represented Team GB and earned a 5th place finish at the Youth Olympics, and an elite athlete competing right at the top of his chosen sport; Judo. Daniel is currently the third highest rank Judo athlete in the UK and the number 1 in Wales. Daniel's mother ignited his passion for the sport by suggesting he attend a Judo class she'd seen advertised; he attended and fell in love.
The “Promising Athletes Programme” has been put in place to support talented athletes living locally to one of our leisure facilities in England and Wales.
Click below to apply.
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