The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has announced that trailblazing athlete 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 remarkable background of athletic achievement, barrier-breaking milestones, and a strong commitment to empowerment through fitness to the nationwide student design competition.
Bains has carved out a pioneering path in professional sports. As a Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships junior title holder, she made history by becoming the first British Sikh woman to represent her country at both the European and World powerlifting championships. Beyond her competitive career, she is dedicated to empowering South Asian women through fitness, utilizing online coaching platforms to help individuals achieve their health goals and dismantle cultural and societal barriers.
As a member of the judging panel for the V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge, Bains will evaluate creative projects submitted by students across England, applying her unique perspective as an elite competitor to foster young talent and innovative thinking.
A Shared Mindset of Resilience and Problem-Solving
Reflecting on her new role, Bains shared her enthusiasm for witnessing the ingenuity of the next generation of designers. She noted that her athletic career has continually demanded creative approaches to overcoming obstacles, improving physical performance, and finding practical solutions to complex problems.
"I’m really looking forward to seeing the creativity and imagination of the students and how they approach real world problems," Bains said. "As an athlete, I’m always looking for ways to improve performance, overcome challenges and find solutions to problems, so I’m excited to see how the students apply that same mindset through design. I hope I can encourage them to believe in their ideas, think outside the box and recognise that their ideas have the potential to make a real difference."
The national challenge centers on three core themes for the 2026–27 cycle: "Simplify," "Empower," and "Nurture." For Bains, these concepts hold deep personal and professional significance, mirroring the values she has relied upon throughout her sporting journey and her work as a fitness coach.
"To me, these three themes are all about making a positive difference," she explained. "Simplify means finding ways to make things easier, more efficient or more accessible. Empower is about giving people the confidence, tools and opportunities to reach their potential. Nurture means creating an environment where people can learn, grow and develop."
Bains emphasized that her experiences in competitive sport have underscored the necessity of robust support systems, self-belief, and continuous improvement. She believes these thematic pillars serve as a powerful reminder that incremental adjustments can yield profound transformations in individuals’ lives.
The Intersection of Design, Sport, and Daily Life
When discussing why design matters to her, Bains pointed to its capacity to bridge the gap between abstract concepts and tangible utility. In the realm of elite athletics, she noted that the engineering of training equipment, the architecture of workout spaces, and the integration of athletic technology directly influence safety, accessibility, and overall performance.
"Design is important because it helps turn ideas into practical solutions that can improve people’s lives," Bains observed. "In sport, the design of equipment, training spaces and technology can make a real difference to performance, safety and accessibility. As someone who is always looking for ways to improve, I appreciate how thoughtful design can solve problems we might not even realise we have. I also think good design is about understanding people and their needs, rather than simply making something look good."
This appreciation for functional innovation extends into her daily routine and professional operations. When asked about an invention or piece of technology she could not live without, Bains readily identified her smartphone. Balancing multiple high-demand roles—ranging from athletic training to managing her online coaching business, communicating with clients, creating digital content, and staying connected while traveling—requires versatile tools. She views the smartphone as a prime illustration of how modern innovation can streamline everyday tasks and free up time for what truly matters.
Advice for Aspiring Young Designers
As students across England prepare their submissions for the challenge, Bains offered practical guidance rooted in her own experiences facing stiff competition and high-pressure environments. She encouraged participants to embrace curiosity, exercise creative freedom, and discard the fear of failure.
"My biggest advice is to be curious, think creatively and don’t be afraid to make mistakes," Bains advised. "Some of the best ideas come from asking questions, challenging the way things have always been done and looking at problems from a different perspective. Listen to one another, because everyone brings different strengths and ideas to a team. Most importantly, don’t worry about having the perfect idea straight away. Test your ideas, learn from what doesn’t work and keep improving. In sport, I’ve learned that progress comes from being willing to learn and try again, and the same applies to innovation. Believe in your ideas and remember that you don’t have to be an adult or an expert to make a difference."
Registration and Challenge Details
The V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge for the 2026–27 academic year is officially open for registration and entry submissions. The nationwide competition invites student groups in Years 7, 8, and 9 from state-funded secondary schools across England to tackle real-world challenges through creative design.
Guided by this year’s core themes of "Simplify," "Empower," and "Nurture," participating students have access to a comprehensive suite of resources provided by the museum. These materials include a dedicated theme inspiration pack alongside specialized Teacher and Student Toolkits designed to support participants through every stage of the design journey, from initial concept development to final submission.
Registration and further information regarding the V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge can be accessed directly through the official Victoria and Albert Museum website under the #InnovateVAM initiative.