With under a week to go until the NextGen 2026 cohort gathers for the first time, Sport Industry Group are delighted to confirm the five athletes that will join the programme.
This marks the first year that athletes have been invited to participate alongside the selected 30 industry leaders.
Sport Industry Group hopes that bringing together emerging business talent and current athletes will enrich the experience for everyone involved, broadening understanding of the business of sport while offering invaluable insight into the realities and pressures of competing at the highest level.
The following athletes have officially joined the NextGen 2026 cohort:
Holly Aitchison – England and Sale Sharks fly-half, Aitchison has become a key playmaker in women’s rugby, known for her tactical kicking and creativity. An international since 2021, she helped The Red Roses secure the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and has stood out in Six Nations and global competition, regularly shaping Red Roses’ attacking play.
Adam Gemili – British Olympic sprinter and Team GB standout, Gemili has broken barriers on the track with sub-10s (100m) and sub-20s (200m) marks. A former football youth player, he became European champion and World relay gold medallist, narrowly missing individual Olympic medals while captaining and inspiring the next generation of British sprinters.
Alex Goode – A legendary English rugby union fullback and utility back, Goode enjoyed a decorated career with Saracens and England. Renowned for his versatility, he made over 400 club appearances, won multiple Premiership and European titles, and earned national caps before retiring at the end of the 2024/25 season as one of the modern game’s great campaigners.
Cindy Pro. – Cameroonian-born boxer who made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning bronze in women’s middleweight boxing, becoming the first athlete to medal for the Refugee Olympic Team. Based in the UK, she combines elite performance with a powerful story of resilience and representation on the world stage.
Lauren Steadman – British Paralympic athlete and paratriathlon champion, Steadman has competed across four Paralympic Games in swimming and triathlon. A Tokyo 2020 gold medallist and multiple world and European title winner, she’s celebrated for her resilience, academic achievements, and inspirational role both in sport and beyond.
Dylan Pugh, Managing Director at Sport Industry Group, said, “We are thrilled to welcome these athletes to the NextGen 2026 Programme. We are honoured to support and collaborate with such a talented group, and I look forward to seeing their growth throughout the year.”
“The athletes will bring a unique perspective to the cohort while gaining valuable insight into the commercial and operational side of sport. This is an exciting step for NextGen as we support athletes in developing skills for life beyond competition.”
Find out more about The Sport Industry NextGen Programme here
