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Behind every medal, podium finish and personal best is a story of commitment, sacrifice and community support.
This month we look at how our leisure centres have helped these athletes excel in triathlon, waterski racing, para-cycling and badminton.
Rachael Vincent from Weston-super-Mare
Rachael’s journey in triathlon is one defined by adaptability and determination. In 2022 she represented Great Britain at the European Middle-Distance Championships in Bilbao. When injury forced a last-minute switch from full triathlon to aquabike, she didn’t step back – she stepped up.
Her endurance credentials are formidable. Rachael has completed the Monster Triathlon, an epic seven-day challenge including a 5km swim in Loch Ness, a 1,000km bike ride from Fort William to Windsor and a 50km run to Richmond. She has also conquered the Thames Marathon Swim, covering 14km of open water from Henley-on-Thames to Marlow.
In June 2025 she won her age group in a middle-distance aquabike event, securing selection for the 2026 European Championships. Training twice weekly in the gym at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, Weston and swimming regularly at Strode Leisure Centre, Clevedon, Rachael highlights how affordable gym access is vital for self-funded age-group athletes juggling competition fees, travel and equipment.
Will Bjergfelt from Portishead
Will’s achievements place him firmly among the elite of British cycling. A C5 para-cyclist for Team GB, his career highlights include three World Cup podiums in 2023, a World Championship title in Glasgow the same year, and consistent top-six finishes at World Cups and World Championships in 2024.
In 2025, Will rewrote the record books by setting the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Hour Record, covering 51.471km – the first para-cyclist to exceed 50km and the fifth-best British effort ever, para or able-bodied.
Strength and conditioning play a crucial role in his performance. Training weekly at Parish Wharf Leisure Centre, Portishead, Will uses heavy lifting to increase explosive power, improve bone density and maximise efficiency on the bike. Having access to top-quality facilities outside Manchester has been essential throughout his eight years on the GB Cycling Team.
Jake Frame from Weston-super-Mare
For waterski racer Jake, success comes at 65mph and often after a long drive across Europe. Racing in men’s Formula 2, 2024 saw him join Team Prodigy and compete across Belgium, Austria, France and the UK, all self-funded. In their first season together, the team claimed bronze medals at both UK and European level.
The momentum carried into 2025, the sport’s busiest season in years. After finishing second in the national selection series, Jake earned his place at the World Championships in Belgium. Despite severe boat damage caused by hitting a submerged object during race one, the team staged an extraordinary comeback – finishing second in race two after starting 45 seconds behind the leaders.
With four gruelling 50-minute races across a single week, Jake relied on daily training at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, Weston to maintain peak fitness. The flexibility of gym access allowed him to train around an intense travel and race schedule, finishing the championships sixth overall against the world’s best.
Debbie Miller from Congresbury
Debbie’s badminton career is a testament to longevity and excellence. Since her first international success in 2010, she has collected titles across ladies’ doubles, mixed doubles and singles. Her standout year came in 2017, with gold medals at the Nationals, All England and the World Masters Championships in India.
The success continues. In 2025 she helped England win gold at the Nations Cup in Spain, claimed victory at the Danish Masters Open Championships in Odense, and recently won the National Ladies’ Doubles – earning selection to represent England against Scotland in the McCoig Trophy in 2026.
Training regularly at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre in Nailsea, Debbie combines spin classes, body conditioning, gym work and on-court practice. She credits the Inspire Programme with enabling her to refine movement, shot selection and gameplay while maintaining the fitness required to compete at the highest level.
From open water swims to world records, these athletes demonstrate what’s possible when talent meets opportunity. Their stories underline the importance of accessible, high-quality leisure facilities – not just as places to train, but as foundations for sporting excellence on the world stage.
Springboard North Somerset gives international level athletes free access to our leisure facilities, helping reduce training costs and supporting their journey to peak performance.
Leisure facilities offer swimming pools, fitness gyms, and a range of other specialist indoor and outdoor facilities.
For more information contact leisure.service@n-somerset.gov.uk