A new cohort of sporting talent from Ealing has been selected to receive mentoring and training support as part of Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme.
A total of 21 athletes from across the borough have joined the 2025 intake of the initiative, which offers free access to Everyone Active leisure facilities across Ealing, including the Acton Centre, Dormers Wells Leisure Centre and Perivale Park Athletics Track.
Everyone Active, which manages the leisure facilities in partnership with Ealing Council, has run the programme for nine years and has supported more than 7,000 athletes nationwide through access to sporting facilities and expert guidance from mentors.
Among the local cohort is 25-year-old Toula Falvey, a water polo player who trains at the Acton Centre and is a member of Great Britain’s Women’s Water Polo team. The team recently secured a historic seventh-place finish at the 2024 European Championships in Eindhoven – their best performance in over a decade.
Ms Falvey said: “The scheme has helped me keep up with my extra required strength and conditioning allowing me to compete at a high level.”
Also named is Santosh Rai, 44, a triathlete and runner who trains at Northolt Leisure Centre. Mr Rai recently competed in the World Championship Long Distance Triathlon and set a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in traditional Nepali dress.
He said: “Being a part of this initiative fills me with pride, as it truly acknowledges my hard work and dedication. It’s an incredible feeling to be recognised and supported by the active community.”
Mentors this year include Olympic and Paralympic medallists such as Richard Kilty, Lauren Steadman and new panellist, Team GB cyclist Emma Finucane.
Phil Edwards, Everyone Active’s contract manager for Ealing, said: “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.”
