The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum has announced that elite athlete and television personality Karenjeet Kaur Bains will join the judging panel for the upcoming V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27. Bains, widely recognized by television audiences for her formidable presence as “Athena” on the hit BBC show Gladiators, brings a wealth of high-performance experience, architectural thinking, and a passion for community empowerment to the national design competition.
Beyond her mainstream television visibility, Bains is a pioneering force in British athletics. She holds the prestigious title of Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships junior champion and has etched her name in sports history by becoming the first British Sikh woman to represent her country at both the European and World powerlifting championships. Alongside her athletic career, she runs online coaching platforms dedicated to empowering South Asian women through fitness, helping individuals achieve their personal health goals, and dismantling cultural and physical barriers.
To mark her appointment to the V&A Innovate panel, museum organizers sat down with Bains to discuss her perspective on the upcoming challenge, the intersection of design and athletics, and her advice for the next generation of young creators.
Bridging Athletics and Design Innovation
When asked what she is most looking forward to as a V&A Innovate judge, Bains expressed enthusiasm for witnessing firsthand how young minds interpret and tackle real-world dilemmas.
“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 V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge invites student groups in Years 7, 8, and 9 from state schools across England to conceptualize and develop innovative design solutions. This year’s challenge centers around three core themes: Simplify, Empower, and Nurture.
Reflecting on these guiding principles, Bains explained how deeply they resonate with her personal and professional journey. To her, the themes represent a comprehensive framework for creating meaningful, positive change in society.
“Simplify means finding ways to make things easier, more efficient, or more accessible,” she noted. “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.”
Drawing parallels to her time in competitive sports, she added, “Throughout my sporting career, I’ve experienced how important it is to have the right support, believe in yourself, and keep finding ways to improve. I think these themes are a great reminder that even small changes can have a big impact on someone’s life.”
The Ubiquitous Role of Design in Everyday Life
For Bains, design is not merely an aesthetic pursuit restricted to art galleries or museums; it is an active discipline that addresses practical human needs. Whether examining the layout of a training facility or evaluating specialized athletic equipment, she views thoughtful design as a crucial driver of safety, accessibility, and human capability.
“Design is important because it helps turn ideas into practical solutions that can improve people’s lives,” Bains explained. “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.”
When asked about the modern innovation she personally could not live without, Bains pointed immediately to her smartphone. Balancing multiple demanding roles—ranging from elite athletic training and media appearances to running her digital coaching business—requires tools that streamline daily operations.
“It allows me to manage my coaching business, communicate with clients, track my training, create content, and stay connected with people wherever I am,” she said. “As someone who balances several different roles, having so many tools in one device makes my life much easier. It’s a great example of how innovation can simplify everyday tasks and give us more opportunities to focus on the things that matter most.”
Advice for Young Competitors
As students across England prepare to draft their project proposals, Bains offered practical wisdom rooted in her own experiences overcoming athletic obstacles. Her primary guidance centers on curiosity, resilience, and the collaborative nature of effective teamwork.
“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.”
She also emphasized that young designers should release the pressure of immediate perfection, viewing iteration and failure as essential components of the creative process.
“Most importantly, don’t worry about having the perfect idea straight away,” she added. “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 Resources Open for 2026–27
The V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge for the 2026–27 academic year is officially open for registration and entry submissions. Eligible participants include student groups in Years 7, 8, and 9 attending state-funded schools in England.
To support educators and students participating in the challenge, the V&A has published a comprehensive suite of resources on its official website. This includes a dedicated theme inspiration pack, alongside detailed Teacher and Student Toolkits designed to guide participants through every stage of the design journey, from initial concept development to final project submission.
Schools and student groups interested in participating can access registration details and resource downloads directly through the V&A museum website under the hashtag #InnovateVAM.