British Ice Skating Futures Programme inspires next generation at European Championships in Sheffield.

Running alongside the ISU Figure Skating European Championships 2026 in Sheffield, British Ice Skating’s Futures Programme gave young GB athletes an invaluable opportunity to step inside a major international event and experience elite sport from an entirely new perspective.

Designed to inspire, educate and prepare the next generation of British figure skaters, the programme used the Championships as a live learning environment. By hosting such a prestigious event on home ice, British Ice Skating was able to offer these young athletes unparalleled behind-the-scenes access, expert-led education sessions and direct engagement with some of the most respected figures in the sport.

The athletes received a backstage tour led by Sadie Donnelly, a highly respected ISU official, on behalf of the Organising Committee. Giving them an inside look at areas usually reserved for officials, athletes and broadcasters, the tour helped them understand the scale, complexity and professionalism required to deliver an event of this level.

A particularly memorable moment saw the athletes take part in a live interview in front of the arena crowd with event host Mark Hanretty, giving them a taste of media responsibilities at a major championship and helping to build confidence in high-pressure environments. They also gained insight into the broadcast side of elite sport, including a behind-the-scenes look at live commentary with Olympic champion and BBC commentator Robin Cousins.

Education was a central pillar of the programme, and throughout the Championships, the athletes received guidance and support from an outstanding range of experts. UK Sport delivered an insightful and informative session, highlighting the wider performance system that supports elite athletes in Great Britain. An ISU update session, delivered by ISU Technical Committee member Leena Laksonen, provided crucial information on rule changes for the upcoming season and beyond, aligned with the ISU Vision 2030, helping athletes understand how the sport is evolving at the highest level. Matthew Miller (ISU judge) and Maggie Worsfold (ISU judge and moderator) further added to these insights, sharing their experience and expertise across the programme.

Athletes also benefited from sessions led by ISU judges Ann Findlay and Nick Russell, who offered a “Judges’ Perspective on Elite Athlete Etiquette”, giving practical advice on behaviour, professionalism and communication at international competitions. Nick Russell additionally delivered an “Elite Performance” session, drawing on his extensive experience to help athletes understand what is required to succeed consistently at the top of the sport. Both officials are also selected to judge at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milan, adding further weight and inspiration to their messages.

A special highlight of the programme was a surprise session with six Olympic skaters: Adrian Diaz, Carolina Kostner, Jean-Luc Baker, Michal Brezina, Nick Buckland and Jenna McCorkell. Sharing personal stories from their careers, the Olympians spoke candidly about challenges, resilience, setbacks and successes, offering invaluable insight into what it takes to reach the Olympic stage. Their advice and encouragement left a lasting impression on the young athletes.

Futures Programme athletes met with a panel of Olympic figure skaters.

By integrating the Futures Programme into the ISU European Championships, British Ice Skating demonstrated the powerful legacy impact of hosting major events in the UK. For the athletes involved, the experience went far beyond watching elite competition – it provided knowledge, inspiration and a clear vision of where their own journeys could lead. For many, Sheffield 2026 was not just a Championships to attend, but a glimpse into a future they now feel better prepared to pursue.

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British Ice Skating would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the programme, and to the athletes who took part: Singles Women:

Arina Vorobeva

Leilah Patten

Mia Craig

Lilian Musgrave

Kira Khomenko

Jessica Worth

Singles Men:

Edward Solovyov

Lloyd Thomson

Arin Yorke

Jack Donovan

Solomon Williamson

Tim Xie

Ice Dance:

Sophia Bushell & Antonio Pena

Ashlie Slatter & Louis Gregory

Mimi Marler-Davies & Joseph Black

Annabel Mann & Jack Hammond

Pairs:

Zarah Wood & Alex Lapsky