Alongside competing, athletes will have the opportunity to learn from athlete mentors, reflect on their performances, watch other sports and take part in the exciting Obstacle Course Experience.

Throughout the week, the programme will help athletes to:

• build confidence in managing the highs and lows of competition
• understand and explore what it means to develop as an athlete whilst also protecting and supporting their development as a teenager
• gain new ideas and inspiration by watching and learning from other sports
• take on fun team challenges and create lasting memories through the Obstacle Course Experience

Supporting athletes every step of the way will be a team of experienced athlete mentors, who will share their own journeys, support participants in navigating performance outcomes, and encourage post-match reflection and goal-setting.

Meet the 2026 athlete mentors below:

Tim Prendergast – Athletics

Triple Paralympian, Paralympic Gold Medallist, World Marathon Championships Bronze Medallist

At eight years of age Tim Prendergast began losing his sight, and within five years his vision had depleted by over 90 per cent. Despite this and the troubles he experienced whilst he was coming to terms with his impairment, Tim still maintained a burning passion for sport and found real enjoyment in running.

Success was not a given, and Tim tried and failed in many races as a junior. In 2004 Tim represented New Zealand at his second Paralympic Games in Athens, winning a gold medal in the T13 800 metres contest. He also ran in the Beijing Games in 2008 where he was disappointed with his performance. At London 2012 Tim ran his fastest time at a major championship but unfortunately was edged out of the medals.

Tim hopes that sharing his own experience of overcoming disability to succeed will inspire the pupils he meets to overcome their own obstacles, and having been an Athlete Mentor for a number of years, is now a Senior Athlete Mentor. In this role.

Alistair Patrick-Heselton – Paralympic Football

Paralympic Silver Medallist

Alistair was highly rated as a young footballer, playing for Wycombe Wanderers before being spotted by QPR – where he starred for the club’s Under U17, U19s and reserves. He also spent a spell on loan at Oldham Athletic before a cruciate ligament injury halted his progress and saw him pursue a career in Quantity Surveying instead, playing semi-professional for Northwood at the same time.

Further spells at Helmond Sport in Holland and Bishops Stortford followed before another life-defining moment came in 2006 when playing for Wingate & Finchley.

His best friend at the time (also an ex professional footballer Simon Patterson) died in a car crash in which Alistair was a passenger and suffered terrible injuries.

Following a couple of months in a coma, and being told he may never walk again, he thought his footballing days were over. But four years later he was contacted by The FA and given details of CP football for Cerebral Palsy or brain injury sufferers.

Since then Alistair has played in the CPISRA World Championships for England (scoring on his debut) and in the Paralympics GB team at London 2012.

After such a career and retiring in 2016, it was found fitting by the Football Association in 2017 that Alistair be inducted into our country’s National Football museum Hall of Fame alongside 7 others which included the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. It was also marked with him being given the Football for All award.

Ama Agbeze MBE – Netball

Former England captain

Ama Agbeze MBE is a celebrated former England netball international and one of the sport’s most influential leaders. Known for her versatility across defensive positions—GD, GK and WD—she made her England debut in 2001 and went on to earn 100 caps.

Agbeze captained England to their historic gold medal victory at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, having previously helped secure bronze at Melbourne 2006. She was awarded an MBE in 2019 for her services to sport.

Across a career spanning more than two decades, Agbeze played for numerous clubs in England, Australia, and New Zealand, including Loughborough Lightning, West Coast Fever, Melbourne Vixens, Central Pulse, London Pulse, Saracens Mavericks, and Severn Stars—highlighting her global impact on elite netball.

Agbeze balanced her sporting achievements with academic excellence, studying Law and Criminal Justice at the University of Leicester and completing an MSc in Finance and Management at Loughborough University. She is also a qualified lawyer.

A respected captain and role model, Agbeze is widely regarded for her resilience, leadership, and ability to elevate those around her, leaving a lasting legacy within England Netball and beyond.

Louis Gray – Football

English Football League & Premier League

Louis is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, with a career that took him from grassroots football to the Premier League. Unlike many players, Louis’s journey wasn’t a conventional one as he didn’t join an academy until the age of 15, when he signed a three-year scholarship with Wrexham FC. After four years at the club, he earned himself a move to Premier League side Everton, where he spent four years as part of both the Under-23 and first-team squads.

Louis went on to gain valuable experience in the Football League with Carlisle United, initially joining on loan before signing permanently. However, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Louis began to explore his passion for coaching and mentoring, founding a goalkeeper coaching business to support young players in his local area as football returned.

In pursuit of this growing passion, Louis later joined Chester FC to be closer to home and dedicate more time to developing young goalkeepers. In November 2022, he made the decision to step away from professional football to focus fully on inspiring and nurturing the next generation of young goalkeepers.

As an Athlete Mentor for the Youth Sport Trust, Louis draws on his experiences of resilience, late development, and perseverance to help young people realise their potential both in and out of school. His journey demonstrates that with the right mindset and work ethic, there is more than one path to success.

David Hill - Swimming & Triathlon

Paralympian, World & Bronze Medallist, British Champion

David was brought up living beside the sea and his parents were eager for him and his sister to learn to swim at a young age. Despite being born with no left forearm, by the age of 3 David was earning swimming badges and he entered his first competition aged 8.

His talent was soon spotted and, at the age of 12, David was offered a scholarship to Kelly College Boarding School to combine his education and sporting commitments. After just 3 years there under the wing of Robin Brew, a former Olympian, David qualified for the 2004 Paralympic Games and at 15 was the youngest Team GB athlete.

David’s swimming career has spanned over ten years at the highest level, and he has competed at both European and World Championships, where he obtained numerous records and international medals. In 2009 he won two bronze medals at the World Championships and another at the European Championships that year.

David has recently transitioned into Paralympic Triathlon (ParaTriathlon), a discipline where he has showed his potential to excel, finishing Top British Athlete at the European Championship in the TRI 4 category in June 2013 and following that up as the British Champion in 2014. In 2016 he competed in the paratriathlon PT4 event at Rio 2016.

David was always encouraged by his parents to follow his dreams and not let his disability hold him back and he is keen to inspire the next generation of young people to do the same.

Chris Skelley – Para Judo

Paralympic Champion

Skelley took up judo as a sport at the age of five. A successful judoka, he was already part of the England squad when his eyesight began to fail. He slowly began to focus more on his judo and was brought onto the Great Britain visually impaired team. Competing in the under 100 kg category, Skelley took three bronze medals at the under-20 national tournament between 2010 and 2013. In 2014 he represented his country at the Scottish Open, taking gold in his division. The same year he won silver in the Welsh Senior Open.

In December 2015 Skelley represented Britain at the IBSA European Judo Championship in Portugal where he missed out on the final but secured the bronze by beating Ibrahim Bolukbasi of Turkey. In February 2016 Skelly was selected as part of a four-man to compete for Great Britain at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio.

Chris then became Paralympic Champion in the 100kg category at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and followed this up by winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games in the 90kg+ category.

Skelley was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Years Honours for services to judo. He announced his retirement in February 2025.

Now an Athlete Mentor, Chris uses his experiences to help young people tackle declining emotional wellbeing and resilience in schools, inspiring their attitudes to learning.

Kelvin Batey – BMX Racing

British Champion

Kelvin Batey is a highly respected BMX athlete, coach, mentor, and motivational speaker. Originally from Nottinghamshire, Kelvin began racing BMX at the age of six and went on to become one of the most successful British riders of his generation.

Throughout his competitive career, Kelvin achieved numerous national and international accolades, including multiple BMX World Championship titles and over 25 British Championship titles. His success was built on resilience, determination and an unwavering commitment to excellence, overcoming several serious injuries during his sporting journey.

Following his racing career, Kelvin transitioned into coaching, mentoring, and sports development. He has worked extensively with young people, helping them build confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and positive life habits through sport. As an athlete mentor with the Youth Sport Trust, he uses the power of PE & Sport to inspire young people to be active.

In addition to his mentoring work, Kelvin is a respected motivational speaker and BMX coach who delivers workshops, training programmes and keynote presentations.

Today, Kelvin continues to inspire athletes, students, and professionals through his passion for personal development, high performance and the transformative power of sport.

Amelia Coltman – Skeleton

Team GB Athlete

Amelia is a Great Britain Skeleton Athlete aiming to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics. An all-round sportswoman, Amelia was a county tennis player, county long jump and high jump champion and a keen badminton player and dancer, before turning her focus to Skeleton in 2017.

Since then, she has represented Great Britain at numerous International competitions and became the first Brit to win the overall Europa Cup title on her debut season. To date Amelia has won many International medals, including World Cup Golds and multiple European Championship medals for Great Britain.

Amelia competed for Team GB at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina in the individual Skeleton finishing in the top 10.

Vernon Samuels – Athletics (Triple Jump)

Olympian, Commonwealth & European Games

Vernon was introduced to the triple jump during a PE lesson. Using sport to compensate for his academic disappointments, Vernon continued to excel at triple jump where his physical strength outshone his low self-confidence.

As a young athlete Vernon overcame many setbacks including serious respiratory problems, and sport helped to greatly improve his health and fitness. He experienced bullying at school and found sport perfect for channelling his frustrated energies into constructive achievements.

Vernon won his first national title in 1979, and over the following five years he set a series of records, won multiple national championships and received his first senior international honours while still attending school. Aged 19, Vernon won a sports scholarship to Southern Methodist University, Texas; he graduated in 1988 and in the same year qualified to represent GB in the Seoul Olympics.

Vernon’s greatest career achievement was finishing 13th at the 1988 Olympics as the top of three British competitors representing GB. He finished his international career in 1992 as top ranked GB indoor Triple Jumper.

Vernon remains committed to sport in retirement and looks forward to showcasing the benefits of physical activity in his role as an Athlete Mentor.

Brogan Crowley – Skeleton

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympian, World Champs Mixed Team Bronze Medallist 2023, World Cup Silver Medallist, Overall Europa Cup Champion,Great Britain U20 Junior Heptathlete

Brogan Crowley is a British Skeleton athlete whose remarkable journey is rewriting the rulebook on resilience, speed, and breaking barriers. As the first Black athlete to represent Team GB in skeleton racing at a Winter Olympics, Brogan made history in the 2022 Beijing Winter Games—a feat that marked her extraordinary career. But her story is about far more than just Olympic glory; it's about defying the odds, shattering records, and constantly pushing herself to new heights.

Long before she found her true passion on the ice, Brogan was a multi-sport phenom, dabbling in everything from gymnastics and swimming to rugby, football, athletics, and trampolining. Her athletic versatility was clear, and it was in the heptathlon, where she represented Great Britain and England at junior level, that she truly showcased her all-around prowess. But skeleton racing was calling, and after transitioning from athletics, Brogan rapidly rose to prominence.

In 2018, she cemented her place in the sport's elite by becoming the overall Europa Cup champion, proving she had the skill and grit to compete at the highest level. That was just the start. In November 2022, Brogan hit new heights when she shattered the start record at the Whistler track in Canada—breaking the previous mark and reaching a jaw-dropping 140 km/h, hurtling head-first down the track. She finished second in the race, winning her first World Cup medal, but it was her blistering speed and fearless drive that stole the show. That same year, Brogan made even more history by earning a bronze at the World Championships in the team event.

Jenna Downing – Inline Skating

10 x British Champion, Former World Champion

Jenna is the former world number one female inline skater and is a ten times British Champion. A natural competitor, Jenna has competed in rollerblading events since she was eight and became the youngest ever female to turn pro aged 12.

Since then, she has represented her country across the globe in major international events, scooping the NASS title three times over, winning an X-Games silver medal and becoming LG Action Sports World Champion. To date, she is the only European female to perform the 900-degree spin.

Growing up in a deprived area, Jenna had to work hard to get to where she is today whilst facing a multitude of obstacles. As an Athlete Mentor, Jenna hopes to show young people that whatever their background or circumstances it is possible to achieve anything they choose to in life.

Tom Davis – Judo

British Champion, Commonwealth Champion

Tom was an energetic child, which his mother used to help him experience a wide variety of sports. Although he enjoyed physical activity, a number of issues meant Tom couldn’t participate in his chosen sport of Judo during his teenage years. Aged 17, he was inspired by the high achievers at his local judo club to return to the sport and strive for black belt status. A year later, Tom achieved his goal.

Tom was later selected to represent Great Britain. Moving his training up a gear, Tom improved greatly, and drastically overhauled his fitness routine to move weight category, from 100kg to 81kg. At his new weight Tom went from strength to strength, winning both the Commonwealth and British Judo Championships in 2005.

Despite being in contention for both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, Tom missed out on the competition spot and was named as reserve for both events.

Tom through his role as an Athlete Mentor uses the expertise he has gained from years of delivering in schools to help them to support, develop and improve their students’ lives through sport.

Paul Broadbent – Rugby League

World Cup Finalist, Challenge Cup Winner

Paul Broadbent is a real star of Rugby League. In a career spanning 17 years, prop forward Paul represented England and Great Britain, playing over 450 first grade games for teams including Sheffield Eagles, Halifax, Hull and Wakefield.

Academically challenged, Paul found sport to be the one school subject he enjoyed. Introduced to rugby at 11 years old, Paul found his sporting passion. He wasn’t as naturally gifted as some of his teammates and had to train hard to improve and compete with more talented players, but his passion and commitment to the game shone through.

Paul didn’t become a full-time sportsman overnight. He signed up with Sheffield Eagles aged 19 as a part-time player, he then became a full-time schools coach, whilst still training in the evenings with Sheffield Eagles.

In 1996 when Rugby Super League was formed, Paul was eventually given the opportunity to be a full time professional rugby player; he embraced the chance and swiftly became team captain. In 1998 he led his team to a Challenge Cup win – finally achieving a lifelong goal; a huge achievement for someone who describes himself as a player with limited skill and ability.

It was Paul’s work ethic, desire and commitment to making the best of himself that helped him reach his goal.

Liz Johnson - Para Swimming

Paralympic Gold, Silver & Bronze Medallist, Triple World Championships Gold Medallist

Liz was introduced to swimming at the age of three after it was recommended that it could help with her cerebral palsy. As the years went by it became clear Liz was a natural in the water and she has gone on to enjoy a decorated career, which has included becoming a Paralympic champion.

Her sheer talent and commitment to the sport has been recognised away from the pool, too. She laid the final tile in the Aquatic Centre ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and was given the honour of reading the athlete’s oath at the opening ceremony of her home Paralympics, where she also went on to claim another medal.

At just 14, Liz was already competing at a national level and made the Great Britain team shortly after. In 2006, she claimed three gold medals at the IPC World Championships, successfully building on her success at the Athens Paralympics, where she had won a silver medal two years previously.

In 2008, Liz fulfilled a lifetime ambition by winning gold at the Beijing Paralympics, dedicating it to her mother who sadly passed away during the games.

Following this, Liz went on to win a plethora of World Championship medals and added to her Paralympic medal collection at London 2012, setting a new Paralympic record on the way to her success.

In addition to her swimming achievements and work as an Athlete Mentor, Liz graduated with a degree in Business Management and Finance. She also commentates on Paralympic sport for Channel 4.

Louise Hunt - Wheelchair Tennis

Paralympian & Wimbledon Semi-Finalist

Louise Hunt was born with Spina Bifida and has been in a wheelchair her whole life as she has little movement in her lower limbs. She fell in love with sport at just 5 years old and became captivated by the feeling of freedom and independence it gave her.

Louise participated in many sports for several years but when she was about 12 years old, she met a Paralympian with the same disability as her and held a Paralympic gold medal and that was when she realised that was her goal, to make it to a Paralympic Games.

For 10 years Louise competed in both wheelchair tennis and wheelchair racing.

But Louise had to choose one sport if she would pursue her ultimate dream to become a Paralympian. She chose tennis because it felt like more of a challenge and Louise loves to push herself to the max. Louise qualified for her first Paralympic games in 2012 and followed this up by qualifying in 2016.

Neil Danns - Skateboarding

European & British Champion

Growing up, Neil Danns represented his county as a footballer, but it was skateboarding that led to him becoming a top athlete.

In a bus station aged 14, Neil heard some music and first witnessed skateboarders in action. He went home, built a skateboard from a plank of wood and his sister’s roller-boots and never looked back.

Neil became a completely self-taught skateboarder. His talent earned him sponsorship from a local shop and an introduction to the English Skateboarding Association. He was invited to take part in his first major competition aged 17 and won his first British Championship aged 22. Neil was soon repeatedly winning European and British titles, whilst travelling the world representing the UK.

Neil’s career wasn’t without setbacks. The complexity and physical challenges of skateboarding saw him suffer severe injuries. Yet he continually returned from injury, pushing himself through rehabilitation to continue competing.

Neil retired from skateboarding in 2005 and today runs Wheels Extreme a company who coach young people in BMX, inline skating and skateboarding.