A former Newton Aycliffe resident has been selected to represent Team England at the prestigious IMMAF World Championships, taking place in Georgia from 1st – 7th November 2026.
Jess Catleugh, who attended Stephenson Way Primary School and Greenfield Community College, has earned her place in the England squad after just five years in mixed martial arts (MMA).
Now training at Sensei MMA in Darlington, Jess has built an impressive amateur record of thirteen fights and is aiming to bring home a world championship gold medal for England.
Although she has recently moved to Darlington to be closer to her gym, Jess spent most of her life in Newton Aycliffe, where her family remain proud supporters of her achievements.
The opportunity to compete on the world stage is entirely self-funded, with athletes responsible for covering the costs of flights, accommodation, competition kit and travel expenses. To help make the trip possible, Jess has launched a GoFundMe fundraising campaign and is appealing for support from the local community.
Her father, Dave Catleugh, a lifelong Newton Aycliffe resident of 73 years, said: “Jess has worked incredibly hard to reach this level in such a short time. Representing England at the World Championships is a fantastic achievement, and we’re all immensely proud of her. We’re hoping the local community can get behind her as she prepares to compete on the world stage.”
Anyone wishing to support Jess’s journey can donate via her GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/a4f676738