The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum has announced an exciting addition to its judging panel for the upcoming V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27, welcoming trailblazing athlete and television personality Karenjeet Kaur Bains to the team. Known to millions of viewers as "Athena" on the hit BBC television show Gladiators, Bains brings a remarkable background in elite sports, representation, and advocacy to the national design competition aimed at young students across England.
Beyond her high-profile television appearances, Bains has carved out a pioneering legacy in the world of powerlifting. She made history as the first British Sikh woman to represent her country at both the European and World championships, adding to her impressive athletic credentials by capturing the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships junior title. Alongside her athletic pursuits, she runs online coaching initiatives dedicated to empowering South Asian women through fitness, helping individuals achieve their personal wellness goals while dismantling cultural and systemic barriers.
Organizers at the V&A recently sat down with Bains to discuss her role on the upcoming judging panel, her perspective on the intersection of sport and design, and her advice for the next generation of young creators, innovators, and problem-solvers participating in the national challenge.
Stepping into the Role of a National Judge
Reflecting on what she anticipates most from her participation in the V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge, Bains expressed immense enthusiasm for the ingenuity of the participating students. She noted that she is particularly eager to observe the creativity, imagination, and unique approaches that young minds will bring to addressing complex, real-world problems through design thinking.
As an elite athlete, Bains pointed out that her daily life revolves around continuous improvement, overcoming physical and mental hurdles, and engineering solutions to maximize athletic performance. Because this problem-solving mindset mirrors the core principles of design, she is thrilled to witness students apply similar logic and resilience to their creative projects. Ultimately, Bains hopes her presence on the panel will encourage students to trust their instincts, think boldly outside conventional boundaries, and realize that even youth-led ideas possess the tangible power to effect meaningful change in society.
Exploring the Core Themes of 2026–27
This year’s V&A Innovate challenge centers around three distinct yet interconnected themes: "Simplify," "Empower," and "Nurture." For Bains, these guiding concepts resonate deeply with her personal journey as a professional athlete, coach, and public figure, framing them as a blueprint for driving positive social impact.
Breaking down the terminology through the lens of her own experiences, Bains explained that "Simplify" represents the ongoing quest to make everyday processes, systems, or environments more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly. Meanwhile, she views "Empowerment" as the vital process of equipping people with the necessary self-confidence, practical tools, and structural opportunities required to reach their highest individual potential. Finally, she interprets "Nurture" as the deliberate cultivation of supportive, safe environments where continuous learning, personal growth, and emotional development can truly flourish.
Drawing from the challenges she faced and overcame throughout her demanding sporting career, Bains emphasized how critical it is for individuals to receive proper support networks, maintain unwavering self-belief, and constantly seek avenues for self-betterment. She believes the challenge’s chosen themes serve as a timely, encouraging reminder that even modest, seemingly minor adjustments can produce a profound, lasting impact on an individual’s quality of life.
The Intersection of Design, Sport, and Daily Life
When discussing why design holds such personal and professional significance, Bains emphasized its fundamental capacity to transform abstract concepts into practical, real-world solutions that directly improve human lives. In the realm of elite athletics, she noted that the meticulous design of specialized training equipment, athletic facilities, and performance technology can mean the difference between success and failure, while also heavily influencing safety and physical accessibility.
As someone who constantly evaluates her methods and routines to secure a competitive edge, Bains maintains a profound appreciation for thoughtful design that quietly resolves problems people might not even realize exist. Good design, in her view, goes far beyond superficial aesthetics; rather, it is rooted in a deep, empathetic understanding of human behavior, community needs, and functional usability.
Demonstrating how innovation permeates every corner of modern existence, Bains shared her own indispensable piece of modern technology: her smartphone. Balancing a demanding schedule as a competitive athlete, content creator, and online fitness coach requires exceptional multitasking capabilities. Her smartphone serves as an all-in-one command center that allows her to manage her coaching business, communicate seamlessly with clients, monitor rigorous training metrics, and stay connected with her audience regardless of her physical location. For Bains, this device stands out as a prime example of how thoughtful technological innovation can streamline everyday burdens, freeing up mental space to concentrate on what matters most.
Expert Advice and Guidance for Student Competitors
Offering her top insights and encouragement for the students preparing their submissions for the V&A Innovate challenge, Bains urged young participants to maintain unyielding curiosity, embrace creative risk-taking, and discard any fear of failure. She noted that many of history’s most brilliant breakthroughs originate simply from asking fundamental questions, challenging established norms, and examining traditional problems through an unconventional lens.
Collaboration and teamwork also formed a central pillar of her advice. Bains encouraged students to listen attentively to their peers, reminding them that every individual brings a distinct set of strengths, perspectives, and ideas to a collective group project. Most importantly, she advised participants not to burden themselves with the expectation of achieving perfection right at the start of the design journey.
Drawing a direct parallel to her experiences in competitive sport, Bains stressed that true progress and innovation are forged through iteration, resilience, and the willingness to learn from failed attempts, regroup, and try again. She underscored that students should firmly believe in the validity of their concepts, keeping in mind that they do not need to be adults or seasoned industry experts to create a meaningful difference in the world.
Registration and Participation Details
The V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge for the 2026–27 academic year is officially open, welcoming registration and formal entry submissions from student groups in Years 7, 8, and 9 attending state-funded secondary schools across England.
Centered on the core pillars of Simplify, Empower, and Nurture, the annual challenge aims to foster creative confidence and problem-solving skills among younger secondary students. To support educators and participants throughout the design and submission process, the V&A has published a comprehensive suite of resources on its official website. These materials include a dedicated theme inspiration pack, alongside detailed Teacher and Student Toolkits designed to guide groups seamlessly from initial brainstorming sessions through to their final project entries.