The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has officially announced that trailblazing athlete and television personality Karenjeet Kaur Bains will bring her unique blend of athletic resilience, design appreciation, and community empowerment to the judging panel for the V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27. Widely recognized by television audiences nationwide as "Athena" on the hit BBC series Gladiators, Bains has carved out a pioneering path in professional sports. Beyond her striking presence in the television arena, she is a Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships junior title holder and holds the historic distinction of being the first British Sikh woman to represent her country at both the European and World championships.
In her role as a high-performance athlete and online fitness coach, Bains has dedicated a significant portion of her career to empowering South Asian women through fitness, helping clients achieve ambitious personal goals while systematically breaking down cultural and physical barriers. Now, she is turning her attention to the next generation of creative thinkers and problem solvers. The museum recently sat down with Bains to discuss her upcoming role on the judging panel, her perspective on the transformative power of design, and what she hopes to see from the young participants taking part in this year’s prestigious national competition.
Bridging Athletics, Problem-Solving, and Student Creativity
Stepping into the judging role for the upcoming challenge, Bains expressed profound enthusiasm for witnessing firsthand the ingenuity of young minds. When asked what she is most looking forward to, she emphasized the parallels between high-level sports and creative design. As an elite athlete, she notes that her daily routine revolves around identifying ways to enhance performance, conquer formidable physical and mental obstacles, and engineer practical solutions to complex problems.
She shared her excitement about observing how students apply that exact same resilient mindset through the medium of design. Ultimately, Bains hopes to use her platform on the panel to encourage participants to trust their instincts, think far outside conventional boundaries, and recognize that their innovative concepts hold the genuine potential to enact meaningful, real-world change.
Interpreting Core Themes: Simplify, Empower, and Nurture
The V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge operates each year around guiding pillars designed to focus student ingenuity on impactful societal issues. For the 2026–27 cycle, the core themes are Simplify, Empower, and Nurture. When reflecting on what these three concepts mean to her, Bains drew deeply from her own journey through competitive powerlifting and professional coaching.
To her, the themes collectively represent a blueprint for generating positive, lasting differences in people’s everyday lives. Breaking them down individually, she views "Simplify" as the art of discovering streamlined ways to make systems and objects easier, more efficient, and universally accessible. "Empower," meanwhile, is centered on providing individuals with the necessary confidence, practical tools, and vital opportunities required to reach their utmost potential. Finally, she defines "Nurture" as the essential process of cultivating supportive environments where people can safely learn, grow, and develop over time.
Throughout her demanding sporting career, Bains has repeatedly experienced how critical it is to have robust support structures, unwavering self-belief, and a relentless drive for continuous improvement. She believes that these three guiding themes serve as a powerful, timely reminder that even modest, seemingly simple changes can yield a profound, positive impact on an individual’s life.
The Intersection of Design, Performance, and Everyday Utility
For Bains, the appreciation of design extends far beyond mere aesthetics; it is fundamentally about bridging the gap between abstract concepts and practical solutions that tangibly improve human experiences. In the world of elite sports, she points out that the thoughtful design of specialized training equipment, athletic venues, and advanced technology can mean the difference between mediocrity and peak performance, while also dictating standards of safety and physical accessibility.
As a professional who constantly evaluates her methods to secure incremental gains, Bains maintains a deep appreciation for how intentional design quietly resolves inefficiencies and challenges that people might not even consciously realize exist. Good design, in her view, is ultimately rooted in a profound empathy and understanding of human needs rather than superficial ornamentation.
When considering the modern innovations she relies on most to manage her demanding professional life, Bains points directly to her smartphone. Juggling the intensive demands of an athletic training schedule alongside running an online coaching business, communicating with clients, producing digital content, and maintaining personal connections requires seamless multitasking. For Bains, her mobile device serves as an indispensable hub that consolidates numerous vital roles into a single instrument. She views it as a prime illustration of how modern innovation can successfully simplify routine tasks, freeing up precious time and energy to focus on what truly matters.
Advice for Young Innovators
Drawing from her extensive background in overcoming high-stakes athletic pressure, Bains offered valuable guidance for the students embarking on their V&A Innovate design journeys. Her primary recommendation is for participants to maintain active curiosity, embrace creative risks, and discard any fear of making mistakes. Some of the most revolutionary ideas in history, she notes, stem from simply asking fundamental questions, challenging established norms, and examining stubborn problems from entirely fresh perspectives.
She also stressed the immense value of collaboration. Students are encouraged to actively listen to one another, acknowledging that every member of a team brings a distinct set of strengths and unique viewpoints to the table. Most importantly, Bains urged young competitors to let go of the pressure to conceive a flawless idea right from the start. Iteration is key; students should test their concepts, rigorously analyze what fails to work, and use those lessons to refine their projects. Having learned through sports that true progress is born from a willingness to stumble, learn, and try again, she emphasizes that the exact same rule applies to the world of innovation and design. Above all, she encourages participants to believe firmly in their own concepts, keeping in mind that individuals do not need to be adults or seasoned experts to make a genuine difference in the world.
Registration and Next Steps
The V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge for the 2026–27 academic year is officially open, welcoming registration and project entry submissions from student groups in Years 7, 8, and 9 across state schools in England.
To support educators and students through their creative process, the V&A has published a comprehensive suite of digital 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 generation through to final project submission.
Schools and student teams interested in taking part can find full registration details and supplementary educational materials directly through the V&A museum’s online portals using the designated campaign hashtag #InnovateVAM.