From Nelson

14-year-old Tillie Evans has been a Lancashire County hockey player for the past 4 years. Last year she was also the top goal scorer in the North West for her age group! Tillie plays in the Ladies 2nd team for Clitheroe Blackburn Hockey Club and also plays for her school team where she is on a sporting scholarship. As well as all of this, Tillie has been nominated for the Hockey Talent Academy which is the beginning of the England pathway and hopes to be accepted to start her journey towards the England and Great Britain team. She loves to train, coach and develop younger players both in school and at her club.

From Colne

Amelia is a competitive swimmer for Skipton Swimming Club. She started swimming for Colne Swimming Club when she was just seven years old. At the age of 10, she qualified to compete at the Yorkshire Championships. Since then, she has achieved North East Regional times. The 12-year-old has been representing Skipton Swimming Club for the last two years and is part of the competitive squad. She hopes to compete at the National Championships within the next two years – with an ambitious ultimate goal of competing in the Olympic Games. Her favourite stroke is Butterfly and 200m is her preferred distance. She has only swum 200m Butterfly twice – the first time she swam it competitively, she qualified for the Lancashire Championships and the Yorkshire Championships – which resulted in her qualifying for the North East Regional Championships! Amelia, who swims six times a week – even in the current climate – is ranked in the top 50 for 200m Butterfly in the UK for her age group.

From Nelson

Already a multiple-title winner in the world of Olympic wrestling, Hamza has been training since he was 6. A gold winner at the National Wrestling Competition in Sept 2022 he has now been selected for the GB Wrestling National Team! As part of the ‘Team GB Talent Squad’ Hamza has two elite training camp sessions a month but when back in Pendle we are delighted to be able to help Hamza continue his fitness and training – good luck with a glittering career Hamza!

In 2023, Hamza has now signed a 1 year athlete agreement with team GB and has recently been with the national training squad in Germany for 1 week. He also has competitions coming up in France, Finland, and Estonia. This year, Hamza has also won bronze in English and British junior’s competition in the U15 category at the age of only 13! He tells us how that the Seedhill track has been vital in his speed work and agility while training.

From Colne

Proving that crown green bowling isn’t just for an older generation, Thomas has been bowling since 2014. In 2022, he won the County Junior Championships and he is the youngest bowler to represent the East Lancashire Federation at full national league level. He bowls at PWCGBA (Alkincoats Park), Foulridge Bowling Club and Cononley Bowling Club and in addition to wanting to bowl at an elite level, Tom is becoming a qualified coach and aims to be fully qualified as part of his career.

From Nelson

Hamza is a rising star in rugby league. He began at the age of 8, playing for his local side Keighley Albion before being spotted by Wigan Warriors and beginning a scholarship with them whilst still making appearances for his local community team. He has also played for Wigan St. Patricks as well as try-outs for rugby union side Sale Sharks. He uses Pendle Leisure Trust facilities to continue to improve his strength, power and fitness as part of his quest to become a professional rugby league player. On top of his rugby commitments, he is also a talented footballer and basketball player

From Salterforth

Fenn is a member of Skipton Swimming Club. Part of the competitive squad, the 15-year-old trains with like-minded swimmers 7 times a week and drives to be the best she can be. Her dedication and hard work have paid off and she is currently Yorkshire Champion 50m Breaststroke long course and short course. 2022 means a move to the Open Age Group Regionals, having gained qualification times for these events. Now her next goal is to qualify for Nationals and with the help and support of a gym programme with Pendle Leisure Trust, she feels she can progress and improve her strength and conditioning. Fenn attends West Craven High School and, along with other subjects, is completing her Health and Fitness Certificate. She is an outgoing, ambitious, dedicated and competitive person and has received numerous high achievement awards.

From Higherford

Benjamin is an academy player at Blackpool Football Club. He also plays the sport for Lancashire and the England ISFA team for national schoolboys – having played for the under-14s and being selected for the under-15s squad this coming season. The 15-year-old, who wants to pursue a career in football, says playing at academy, county and national level is a real honour, and as fitness is vitally important to him, would love to complement his training closer to home using Pendle Leisure Trust’s facilities.

From Barrowford

Scarlett plays for Burnley Netball Club and also represents Lancashire in the sport. She has been playing netball for Burnley Netball Club since she was 5 years old. When she was 11, she started playing in the Hyndburn Netball League for a team run by her mum. This valuable experience of playing against women of all ages helped her to develop her game. Alongside playing in this league, she also started playing for Burnley Netball Club’s team in the Burnley Ladies Netball League – which she still continues to do today, as well as being team captain for her school, St Christopher’s Church of England in Accrington. When Scarlett was 12 and 13, she represented Lancashire in the under 13s category, playing her favourite positions of goal shooter and goal attack – and last October, at the age of 13, she successfully trialled for the under 15s for Lancashire. Playing her favourite sport most days of the week, the teenager also coaches the younger members of her club at Burnley, helping them to develop their skills, whilst working towards a Level One Award for England Netball. At school, she also helps the teachers coach the younger teams. Scarlett said: “I am extremely committed to my netball, having worked hard in all aspects of the sport. I am also dedicated to helping other players – both younger and the same age as me – to develop their own skills, and believe my commitment and own achievements help to encourage them to raise their own aspirations.”

From Earby

Lucille runs for Barlick Fell Runners and has just received her first Lancashire Cross-Country Vest in her first year, therefore qualifying for county representation. Her aim is to continue representing Lancashire over the next few years and then when she is eligible, compete for an England Vest. Lucille is the current Lancashire U13’s Fell Champion; has just achieved a Bronze Medal in the Lancashire Cross-Country Championships and a Bronze Medal in the English Fell Running Championship Series last year, where she was the youngest in her age category. As a pupil at Skipton Girls’ High School, Lucille represents North Yorkshire at English Schools Cross-Country. She uses Seedhill Athletics Track in Nelson, for most of her training and the swimming pool at West Craven Sports Centre in Barnoldswick, for additional fitness training.

From Higherford

Robert represents Pendle Ski Club, Team Evolution Ski Racing and Team GB Under 21s Alpine Squad in Alpine Skiing. He has been a member of Pendle Ski Race Squad since the age of eight, where his passion for ski-racing started. He is now a member of Team GB Alpine Squad and in January 2020 represented Great Britain at the Winter Youth Olympics in Switzerland. During the winter months, Robert trains in Austria, but when he is at home, he regularly trains at Pendle Leisure Trust’s Seedhill Athletics and Fitness Centre in Nelson and Pendle Leisure Centre in Colne. The Trust has been supporting Robert on his path to skiing success for the last few years. He said: “The use of Pendle Leisure Trust’s fitness facilities has been crucial in my fitness, strength and conditioning training in the years leading up to my youth Olympic selection and continues to be so in my next level of skiing.”

Since Robert first joined the Talented Athletes Programme, he has now competed in the 2022 World Junior Championships in Canada and the 2023 World Junior Championships in Austria. He continues to use his Activo membership to train while at home and advocates for how important all-around fitness is to allow him to compete at a World level.

From Higherford

Charlotte represents Team GB Junior Alpine Squad in Alpine Ski Racing. Since 2020, she has acheived several skiing titles – U16 English and british Dryslope Champion; U16 English and British Indoor Champion; U14 British Overall Alpine Champion; Dryslope Ambassador; Team GB children’s athlete who has represented Great Britain in Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Charlotte’s goals were to follow her brother into FIS Ski Racing, whilst continuing to represent Great Britain. When Charlotte was 14-year-old she was given the role of Dryslope Ambassador by Snowsport England for being a role model and constantly taking time out from her busy training schedule to liaise with younger athletes, giving advice and guidance. Charlotte is based in Austria for most of the winter months, but when she is home, she uses Pendle Leisure Trust’s facilities to train.

In 2023, she competed in the European Youth Olympic Games, a great achievement for her and her goals!

From Colne

16-year-old Cyra-Jo has played football since the age of 10 for both her school and for Colne FC and then for Burnley FC for the u12/u14/u16. For the last 2 years Cyra-Jo has been playing for the Lancashire County team and her ultimate ambition is to become a professional footballer in the near future.

From Colne

Sam is a 14-year-old athlete with the ambition to be a technical officer in the British Army. Fitness and exercise have always been important to him. Sam has always enjoyed running, swimming and biking and wants to take this into the Army, representing them in one of these disciplines – maybe even all three! He has already represented the Army cadets at the National level in swimming and cross country (6th Swimming, 11th Cross Country – and is hoping for an improved position later this year in both these events).

Sam is a member of Trawden Athletics Club and trains at least twice a week. He is also training for BMXing every weekend. His list of achievements at such a young age is incredible:

• Represented his school in cross country and was one place short of being selected for Lancashire (11th).
• 21st in the National Cross Country Championships at Giggleswick.
• Represented Pendle Pathers at a range of BMXing and Cross Country (bike) events, and won the cross country series last year.
• Won most improved athlete for TAC 2014-2025.
• Walked the Pendle Side Hospice Great Walk twice which is 36 miles over rough and challenging terrain – his fastest time being 11hrs and 36 minutes.

From Barrowford

Taylor James joined Burnley Bobcats Swimming Club a few years ago, starting in the development team and recently progressed into the senior performance team. He now trains 6 days a week in the pool and train twice a week in the gym. This year Taylor has managed to gain qualifying times while swimming at counties and is hoping in the next few months to gain times to swim at regionals. Taylor is fully aware of how much work and dedication it takes to reach his goals and plans to use his Activo membership to achieve this level of fitness.

From Nelson

Aryan has been playing Rugby League for 7 years with the aim to play professionally. He is currently on the Wigan Warriors Futures Programme and hopes to go through their system and eventually play in the 1st team.

Currently playing for Leigh Miners U14’s Rugby League Club, Aryan has had a highly successful season with his team. They achieved remarkable milestones, finishing as Runners-Up in the National Cup, Winners of the Lancashire Cup, and Champions of the Northwest Counties League.

At just 15 years old and already standing at 6’3″, Aryan is a dedicated and active athlete. Beyond rugby, he engages in wrestling and boxing to enhance his fitness, strength, and stamina, complementing his rugby performance. Aryan is excited about leveraging Pendle Leisure Trust’s facilities, such as the gym, track, and swimming pool, to further his sporting development.

From Nelson

Lois plays for the Under 16s Lancashire School Girls County Football Team. She has been playing for the past seven years for a variety of teams and now plays in goal for Lancashire. Her aim is to eventually play professionally, as well as coach professional teams. Lois has already coached younger year teams in her school and volunteered at holiday clubs run by Pendle Leisure Trust’s Up and Active Team. The 15-year-old has won numerous awards for her coaching and playing – with her proudest achievement winning a prize of a week playing and coaching at a college in America from the Youth Sport Trust. Off the back of this trip, Lois is now a Young Event Host and travels the country giving inspirational and motivating speeches, as well as hosting national and regional events. The talented athlete also plays hockey for Pendle Forest Women’s Team in the North Premier League.

From Earby

Jack is a member of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers. The 15-year-old started running four years ago and in this time he has represented Pendle in the Lancashire Schools Cross-Country Championships for the last four years and qualified twice to represent Lancashire in the English Schools Cross-Country Finals. Jack has earned three Lancashire Vests to represent his county, twice at cross-country and once at fell running last year, where he helped the team win bronze in the Junior Inter-Counties Fell Running Championships. He said: “I would love to become the Lancashire Fell Champion at Pendle Hill in April, after finishing second for the last three years. This would then see me qualify to run for Lancashire again in the Junior Inter-Counties Fell Running Championships, where I’d like to help the team medal again, hopefully improving on the bronze we won last year. “Ultimately, I want to qualify to represent England and run for my country in the Junior Home Internationals in Northern Ireland in September. Having access to Pendle Leisure Trust’s facilities will boost my training and help me to achieve my goals!”

From Salterforth

Madison is a member of Skipton Swimming Club. In 2015, after just one swimming competition for her local club, she was offered a place on the squad. In 2018, she achieved a top ranking to gain a place at English Nationals and in 2019 she gained three top 20 ranking places in Great Britain, which gained her qualification and entry into the British Championships. Over the last 5 years, Madison has broken and holds many club records for her age group and also the open age group, as well as winning numerous medals at the County Championships. The 15-year-old, who currently ranks 14th in Great Britain for the 100m backstroke and 21st for the 50m backstroke, is busy training for qualification and entry into the British Championships in April this year. She said: “This is dubbed the Olympic Qualifier – where swimmers compete for times that will gain them entry to the squad going to Tokyo 2020. While I’m not at Olympic level, it will be an amazing experience to travel to London and swim in the Aquatics Centre that was home to the 2012 London Games.”

From Colne

Harvey is a member of Skipton Swimming Club. He gained Yorkshire County qualifying times at the age of 10, which made him eligible to be selected to join the competitive swimming squad and development pathway. He continued to develop in three strokes – freestyle, back and fly – competing in a variety of distances from 50m to 400m – and quickly progressing from county championships to qualifying for the North Eastern Regional Championships in all three strokes. But last year was Harvey’s most successful year, where he was ranked 14th in England for the 100m freestyle event and invited to compete at the English National Championships. He also played an integral part in the club’s 14-16 years boys’ team, qualifying for the 400m and 800m freestyle and medley teams at the British Swimming Championships. He said: “I look forward to being ranked high nationally again this year and once again being invited to compete at the 2020 Summer English National Swimming Championships.”

From Blacko

12 year old Chloe has partaken in various sports throughout her life including gymnastics, netball, swimming, athletics, golf and hockey. Recently, due to a clash in trial and training dates, she has focused her efforts and time on her favourite sport of hockey. Chloe has trained with Pendle Forest Hockey Club since she was 4 years old and has competed for them at under 10/12/14’s. This year, following Lancashire under 13 hockey trials, she is very proud to say that she was selected for the JAC programme-part of the England Hockey Talent pathway. This includes training and tournaments against other counties over the ’23-’24 season. Her goal is to represent Pendle Hockey Club in the senior league next year, and eventually to represent her country!

Chloe also currently uses the Seedhill athletics track on Mondays, training with Pendle Athletics Club, where she represents the club at Javelin, discus and 4x100M relay. Over the winter season she competes for them in the Red Rose and Mid Lancs Cross Country League.

From Barrowford

At only 15 years old, Luca is talented and passionate about all racket sports, playing badminton for Lancashire U17s, as well as playing tennis for Burnley Men’s team, and ranked 30 in Lancashire U16s! He tells us that is also pretty good at table tennis too but doesn’t have the time to commit to this with badminton and tennis taking front runner positions. Luca is also working with Howard Green who is a tennis coach and founder of Super Movers, to improve his agility and fitness. He is excited about the prospect of an Activo Fitness membership to help build a strength and conditioning schedule into his current routine.

From Colne

Another one of our aspiring athletes from Wigan Warriors Futures stars, Jude is 15 years old and his goal is to become a professional rugby player in the future. Like some of our other talented athletes, he is also trained by Ben Rowling at the club who supports him on achieving this goal.

From Colne

Isabelle is an ambitious athlete who has been involved in various competitive sports since Primary School, with her current focus and goal being to gain National representation as a runner. Isabelle’s achievements include: winning the Pendle Schools Inter Schools Cross Country Championship, placing 7th in the Lancashire Schools Cross Country Championships, and representing Lancashire Schools in the English Schools Cross Country Championships in March 2024. As an under 11 she won the Burnley and Pendle Junior Grand Prix and was under 11 Lancashire Fell Champion. In March 2024 she was part of the winning under 15 team in the Northern Counties 5km Road Championship.

In 2023 Isabelle made the decision to focus on running by joining Blackburn Harriers and AC. Since then she has made rapid progress gaining new Personal Bests and being selected to represent Lancashire Schools at the English Schools Cross Country. She is excited to join the Talented Athletes Programme to further boost her training by increasing her strength and conditioning sessions.

From Barnoldswick

Oscar has been running since he was 6 years old and now competes in fell running and X-Country all year round. He has recently won gold at the Lancashire Fell Running Championships at Pendle Hill Fell Race, earning a Lancashire vest and place in the Lancashire Fell Running Team at the inter-counties Fell Running Championships at Rossendale in June. Oscar’s talents stretch beyond running as he also plays football for Barnoldswick Town U14’s team.

From Colne

Evie’s passion for hockey started when she was 8 years old when a hockey player came into her primary school and introduced her to the sport and suggested she come along to training at the local club, Pendle Forest. She joined the club soon after and has been playing hockey ever since with weekly training sessions and various junior tournaments each year. Her hard work and commitment to training paid off as this year she attended the England Hockey Player Pathway Lancashire Junior Academy Centre and was selected for the squad to represent Lancashire at U14. At club level she also started playing for Pendle Forest Ladies third team and has been awarded the Judy B Trophy for Young Player of the Year. She has also been awarded the Captain’s Outstanding Player for 23/24 and 100-game play for her first season playing senior hockey for Pendle Forest.

She loves all sport and also plays netball and has recently started athletics to help build on her speed and fitness levels.Going forward she wants to continue playing hockey and represent Lancashire.

From Earby

Logan has been running competitively for almost 10 years in events such as Cross Country, Fell and Road races and last year moved to Track & Field with Blackburn Harriers & AC. His main events are 800m & 1500m but has just recently competed 400m, 1500m Steeple Chase and Long Jump with great success. Logan represented Lancashire last year in the relay medley and placed 2nd in the Lancashire Schools 800m final.

This year he has already been selected for the U19 Lancashire Fell Team and is hoping to repeat last year’s success on track when he competes at the Lancs Championships in May, and the Lancashire Schools in June. Logan is an ambitious athlete with lots of potential and tells us that he will use his Activo membership to train at West Craven Sports Centre and Seedhill Track, in between his training with Blackburn Harriers.

From Barnoldswick

15-year-old Scarlett has played football for various clubs, starting at Barnoldswick Town FC, Burnley FC, Blackburn Rovers Academy for 5 seasons and has just finished my first season playing with Liverpool U16s Academy. She has been offered a two-year contract with the U21s Liverpool Ladies Academy next season which she’s really looking forward to, alongside studying at the the Robbie Fowler Academy.

From Nelson

Hamza has been training in wrestling since age 6. Through hard work and determination, he has now been selected for Team GB talent squad and has had the opportunity to travel to Finland, Germany, Estonia, Italy, and France where he claimed a gold medal. He also plays rugby union at Burnley Rugby Club and was selected for Sale Sharks in their developing player programme.

Hamza tells us that the competition in wrestling on the international scene is very intense, and rugby is becoming more demanding, so he feels that our facilities would enhance his training even further.

From Colne

Max has been running since he was 6 years old and started running first with Trawden AC, taking part mainly in cross-country and trail races. Last summer he decided to move to Blackburn Harriers AC, where he has been able to train more on the track and improve his speed and endurance. Max recently ran 400m in 54.01 coming 3rd in Lancashire and an 800m in 2.06 mins coming 2nd in Lancashire. He has now been selected to run for the Lancashire team in the 800m.

Max’s goal is to run a sub 2 minute 800m over the next couple of years, with the hope of completing more for Lancashire events or even England athletics!

From Colne

Abby is an u20 athlete who competes for Blackburn Harriers. Last season she ran internationally at the European championships for Great Britain in the 1500m, as well as becoming the national champion over 1500m. She also has North of England titles in both the 800m and 1500m. Her goals for the future are to make the Great Britain u23 track and field for the u23 European championships.

From Barrowford

Now at 15 years old, Tom is on his second year as one of our Talented Athletes. He has been playing rugby union at Burnley RUFC since the age of 6. Following a successful season on the Sale Sharks Developing Player Programme last year, Tom was selected again to join the Programme for the u15s season. So far this year he has represented the Sale Sharks North Lancashire Development hub based at Preston in victories in games against the Manchester hub and Meryside hub. He continues to develop his skills here and also as a key member of Burnley RUFC u15s. Tom’s overall goal is to become a professional rugby player in the future and he is well on his way!

From Nelson

Kevin started playing football for Colne when he was 8 years old. Following this he joined Pendle Forest Football Club. In recent months, Kevin was offered a trial with Burnley Football Academy and was successful in getting into the under-14 team. He also got selected and played for the Lancashire team.

From Colne

15-year-old fell runner Lottie has now been part of our Talented Athletes program for the last 2 years. Lottie currently runs for Blackburn Harriers and is hoping to represent Lancashire in the upcoming fell season. She hopes to be a top 10 finisher in the FRA as well as to earn an England Vest. To achieve this Lottie will continue to use her Activo membership to train strength and conditioning across our facilities in between her training.

From Colne

Playing for Wigan Rugby League, Austen is another of our Talented Athletes who wishes to develop his training beyond his club sessions. He explains that he wants to “develop my performance and enjoy and excel in my sport, and to develop a career out of it.” We want to support Austen in his goals and hope than an Activo membership will aid his physical training but also be used for leisure activities to relax a little too!

From Fence

Noah plays rugby as part of the Wigan Warriors Futures Programme. The programme is aimed at aspiring Rugby League players in Year 10 and 11 who are not currently on Scholarship. The programme also includes several fixtures against Warrington Wolves and St Helens ETP programmes. This is a great opportunity for players to show their talents and give themselves a chance of making the step onto the performance pathway

From Colne

16-year-old Tommy plays Rugby for Shevington Sharks ARLFC and hopes to one day play at a professional level of rugby. Being one of our Talented Athletes, Tommy aims to use his membership to use our multiple sites and take his training beyond the rugby pitch, to give him the best chance of making it to the top.

From Barnoldswick

Elliot started playing football at the age of 5 years old for Barnoldswick Town Juniors in the East Lancs Football Alliance, and is now in the under 14s. He most recently joined the Barrowford Celtic Under 14 Clarets in the Accrington and District Saturday league and trains and plays for both teams.

He has also represented both his junior school and high school football team and continues to do so. Through playing and representing Fisher More football team and the coaching received at his grassroots clubs, Elliot received a nomination for trials with Lancashire Schools FA Under 14 Boys this summer. He was over the moon to receive word that after 2 tough trials, he had qualified for the Lancashire squad for the 2023-2024 season.

Elliot plans to use his Activo membership to work hard on his fitness and health goals to maximise his potential, and ultimately play at the highest possible level.

From Barrowford

Emma is a 13-year-old cross-country/athletics athlete who competes for Blackburn Harriers and Lancashire, and joined our Talented Athletes programme in 2023.
She is currently leading the Red Rose Cross Country league after winning the first cross country of the season and is looking forward to the Lancashire Schools and Lancashire Club championships where she hopes to be selected for both teams for the second year running. Emma has set herself the challenge of coming in the top 3 in both Lancashire Schools and Champs.

Last year she ran in the English Schools and Inter Counties race, coming in the top 100 nationally. Emma’s ambition is to move into the top 50 at this year’s Championships and long term she would like to gain a scholarship to America where she can fulfil her ambition to run at the highest standard.

Emma tells us that she is currently having a growth spurt which would mean that she will benefit from using Pendle Leisure Trust’s pools and gyms to put less stress on her body.

From Barrowford

15-year-old Charlotte is an athletics/cross-country runner, currently running for Blackburn Harriers and Lancashire. She is a middle-distance runner and currently holds the title of Lancashire Schools 1500m champion which she hopes to retain in 2024. Charlotte has also competed for the Lancashire Cross Country Team (Schools and Inter Counties) for the last 3 years. Her other achievements include Pendle Schools Champion 2018 & 2019, Ribble Valley Schools Champion 2019, 2021, 2022 & 2023, East Lancashire Primary Schools Champion 2019, Red Rose Cross Country league winner 2019…the list goes on!

Charlotte trains 5-6 times a week which she tells us can put a lot of strain on her body, and so would like to use her Activo membership so that she can use the pools, treadmills and cross trainers and reduce the impact on her joints. This year her ambition is to win the Lancashire Schools Cross Country and represent Lancashire at English schools, finishing in the top 30.

From Colne

Ben currently runs for Blackburn Harriers in both cross country and track, with the main goal to be a top 1500m runner. He has so far achieved the 800m 2023 Lancashire County and Lancashire schools champion, as well as the 1500m 2023 North of England champion. Ben is excited to use his Activo membership to have a gym and swimming pool so close to home when he is not training in Blackburn.

From Colne

15-year-old Rhys is part of the Wigan Warriors Future Development Program. His ambitions are to be a professional rugby player, whilst also planning to follow his dreams to become a doctor or sports scientist.

From Barrowford

At age 13, Alfie plays Football for Accrington Stanley FC U14s Academy and has been there since he was 8. His dream is to become a professional football player. Alfie currently plays against teams like Manchester Utd, Burnley, Everton, and Newcastle on a weekly basis, and trains 3 times a week for over 6hrs. He is currently the captain for his year group and has been re-signed for the following year!