The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum has announced that trailblazing powerlifter and television personality Karenjeet Kaur Bains will serve as an official judge for the upcoming V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27. Best known to television audiences as “Athena” on the hit BBC series Gladiators, Bains brings a wealth of athletic discipline, barrier-breaking achievements, and a deep appreciation for practical design to the prestigious national competition.
Beyond her formidable presence in the sports arena, Bains is widely recognized for her dedicated advocacy in empowering South Asian women through fitness. Through her online coaching platforms, she helps individuals navigate their wellness journeys, set ambitious targets, and dismantle cultural and physical barriers. Her list of historic sporting milestones includes winning the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships junior title and making history as the first British Sikh woman to represent her country at both the European and World powerlifting championships.
As she prepares to evaluate the ingenuity of the next generation of creators, Bains sat down to discuss her upcoming role on the judging panel, her perspective on the intersection of sport and design, and her advice for young participants.
A Mindset Rooted in Problem-Solving
Stepping into the role of a V&A Innovate judge, Bains expressed genuine enthusiasm for witnessing how young minds perceive and tackle contemporary challenges. Drawing parallels between elite sports and creative design, she noted that the core mindset required to excel in both fields shares remarkable similarities.
As an athlete, Bains constantly evaluates her performance, searches for ways to overcome physical and mental hurdles, and seeks innovative solutions to maximize her potential. She hopes to channel this competitive yet constructive mindset into encouraging students to trust their instincts, think outside conventional boundaries, and realize that their creative proposals carry the genuine potential to effect real-world change.
The V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge centers its 2026–27 campaign around three core guiding themes: Simplify, Empower, and Nurture. For Bains, these concepts resonate deeply with her personal philosophy and career trajectory. She interprets "Simplify" as the art of making processes more accessible, efficient, and straightforward. "Empower," meanwhile, represents the vital mission of equipping individuals with the confidence, resources, and platforms they need to unlock their true capabilities. Finally, "Nurture" speaks to cultivating an encouraging environment where personal growth and learning can flourish.
Having navigated the peaks and valleys of high-level competitive sport, Bains understands intimately how crucial a supportive ecosystem, self-belief, and continuous self-improvement are to long-term success. She views the challenge’s themes as an important reminder that even modest, thoughtful interventions can yield profound, positive ripple effects in people’s everyday lives.
The Power of Thoughtful Design
When discussing the fundamental importance of design, Bains approaches the subject through the practical lens of an elite competitor. To her, design is not merely about aesthetics or making objects visually appealing; it is a critical vehicle for translating abstract ideas into tangible solutions that genuinely elevate human experiences.
In the realm of modern athletics, the meticulous engineering of training equipment, the architecture of specialized training spaces, and the integration of wearable technology play decisive roles in optimizing athletic performance, ensuring physical safety, and broadening accessibility. Because she is perpetually searching for avenues to refine her craft, Bains deeply appreciates how thoughtful design has the capacity to resolve subtle problems that society might otherwise overlook. Good design, in her view, is ultimately rooted in a profound comprehension of human needs.
Asked about the single modern innovation she could not live without, Bains points directly to her smartphone. Balancing multiple demanding roles—ranging from elite athletic training and content creation to managing a thriving online coaching business—requires immense organizational agility. Her smartphone acts as an indispensable command center, allowing her to stay connected with clients, track rigorous training regimes, and manage her professional responsibilities from anywhere in the world. For Bains, the device serves as a prime illustration of how modern innovation can streamline daily operations, freeing up valuable time and mental space to concentrate on what truly matters.
Advice for the Next Generation of Innovators
With student registration now officially underway, Bains offers a series of practical, encouraging pointers for young participants eager to make their mark on the competition. Her overarching recommendation is for students to remain deeply curious, embrace creative risk-taking, and shed any apprehension about making mistakes along the way.
Some of the most revolutionary breakthroughs in history, she points out, originate from simple curiosity, questioning established norms, and examining persistent problems through an alternative lens. Furthermore, she stresses the immense value of collaborative teamwork, noting that every member of a group brings a distinct set of strengths and perspectives to the table.
Crucially, Bains advises students not to place undue pressure on themselves to conceive a flawless idea right from the start. True innovation, she emphasizes through the lens of her athletic career, is an iterative process. Progress is forged through trial and error, testing hypotheses, analyzing setbacks, and maintaining the resilience to try again. She reminds students that they do not need to be adults or certified industry experts to initiate meaningful change, urging them to back their concepts with unwavering self-confidence.
Registration and Participation Details
The V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge for the 2026–27 academic year is now officially open, welcoming registration and project submissions from student groups in Years 7, 8, and 9 across state schools in England.
Centering around the thematic pillars of Simplify, Empower, and Nurture, the challenge aims to inspire young learners to apply creative problem-solving to real-world issues. To support participating students and educators throughout their creative journey, the V&A has published a comprehensive suite of resources on its official website. This includes a dedicated theme inspiration pack alongside specialized Teacher and Student Toolkits designed to guide participants seamlessly from initial concept development to final submission.
Schools and eligible student groups interested in taking part can find further information and complete their registration directly through the V&A Museum’s online portal.