The athletics community in Reading, Berkshire, is mourning the loss of Leah Spratley-Kemp, a talented field athlete whose dedication, competitive spirit, and commitment to her club made her a valued member of Reading Athletic Club. She died suddenly on September 22, 2026, at the age of 25, according to a tribute published by the club on October 23.
Leah’s passing has left club members reflecting on her years in athletics, her achievements in throwing events, and the reliability she brought to team competitions. Over more than a decade with Reading Athletic Club, she developed a strong record in shot put, hammer, and discus, earning county titles and representing Berkshire at a prestigious national schools competition.
The club’s tribute also extended condolences to her family, including her father Nigel, her mother Janine, her brother Alex, and her sister Kira.
While her sporting accomplishments are an important part of her legacy, the tribute also highlights the personal qualities that made her appreciated by teammates and fellow club members.
Leah Spratley-Kemp’s Early Years in Athletics
Athletics was a significant part of Leah’s family background. Her father, Nigel Spratley-Kemp, was a dedicated member of Reading Athletic Club and a former Great Britain shot putter.
Leah first competed for Reading AC in 2012, beginning a long association with the club while developing her abilities in field events. She focused on hammer, discus, and shot put, disciplines that require strength, technical precision, and consistent training.
As she progressed through the junior ranks, Leah became known for her willingness to compete whenever the club needed her. Reading AC recalled that she regularly stepped up to participate in senior league matches, even while still a junior athlete.
That readiness to support the team became a defining feature of her contribution. Rather than limiting her involvement to individual events or selected fixtures, she consistently made herself available to represent the club.
Five Berkshire County Titles Mark Her Sporting Achievements
Leah’s years of competition brought her considerable success at county level. According to Reading Athletic Club, she won five Berkshire county titles across three throwing disciplines.
Her county championship victories included:
- Shot put: Berkshire champion in 2013, 2016, and 2018.
- Hammer: Berkshire champion in 2016.
- Discus: Berkshire champion in 2024.
These results reflect a sustained commitment to field athletics over many years. Winning titles across different seasons and events requires technical development, preparation, and the ability to perform under competition pressure.
Her discus title in 2024 also demonstrated that her competitive career continued well beyond her early junior years.
For Reading AC, Leah’s achievements were not measured solely by medals. Her willingness to travel, compete, and support the club’s teams helped make her an important presence across its athletics programme.
Representing Berkshire at the English Schools’ Championships
One of the notable milestones in Leah’s athletics journey came in 2017, when she was selected to represent Berkshire in the shot put at the English Schools’ Championships in Birmingham.
The selection gave her the opportunity to compete at a major schools athletics event, representing her county against athletes from elsewhere in England.
For a young athlete progressing through the sport, selection for a championship of this standing represents recognition of competitive ability and commitment. It also formed part of a career that included repeated county-level success and a lasting relationship with Reading AC.
Her participation at the championships remains one of the achievements specifically highlighted in the club’s tribute.
A Reliable Teammate and Dedicated Reading AC Member
Beyond her individual results, Leah was remembered for the support she provided to the club’s teams.
Reading Athletic Club described her as a brilliant team player who regularly travelled considerable distances to take part in league fixtures. According to the tribute, distance was rarely a barrier to her participation, and she competed in virtually every league fixture.
That consistency mattered in a team environment where athletes contribute not only through their own performances but also by helping their clubs field competitive teams.
Her readiness to take part in senior league matches from a young age also reflected a strong sense of responsibility. The club remembered her as someone willing to step forward when needed, a quality that made her contribution valuable beyond the results recorded in competition.
For teammates and club members, such commitment can leave a lasting impression. Training sessions, travel to events, shared competition days, and the collective effort involved in representing a club all form part of the relationships built through sport.
Reading AC’s tribute made clear that Leah’s dedication and team spirit would remain an important part of how she was remembered.
Family and Loved Ones Mourn Her Loss
Reading Athletic Club’s announcement offered condolences to Leah’s immediate family: her father Nigel, her mother Janine, her brother Alex, and her sister Kira.
Her father’s connection to athletics adds another dimension to Leah’s long association with the sport. As a former Great Britain shot putter and dedicated club member, Nigel was already part of the athletic community in which Leah developed her own competitive career.
The club has not publicly provided further details about the family’s private arrangements or the circumstances surrounding Leah’s death in the tribute reviewed for this article.
No cause of death has been confirmed in the available official club announcement. It would therefore be inappropriate to speculate about the circumstances of her passing.
For those who knew Leah personally, memories of her years in athletics and the time they shared will be individual and deeply meaningful. The club’s public tribute provides an opportunity for the wider sporting community to acknowledge her contribution and offer sympathy to her family.
Reading Athletic Club Pays Tribute to a Valued Athlete
Reading Athletic Club, established in 1881, has a long history of developing athletes across track and field, endurance running, and other disciplines. Its members compete at local, county, national, and international levels.
Within that wider sporting community, Leah built a record of consistent participation and achievement over more than a decade. Her five Berkshire titles, selection for the English Schools’ Championships, and willingness to support senior league teams were central to the club’s remembrance.
The tribute published on October 23 was a recognition of both her accomplishments and her place within the club.
Her career illustrates how an athlete’s legacy can extend beyond championship results. Consistent attendance, team spirit, and a willingness to help others contribute to the identity of a club just as much as individual honours.
For Reading AC, Leah’s contribution will not be forgotten, and her dedication remains an inspiration to fellow athletes.
Remembering Leah Spratley-Kemp
Leah Spratley-Kemp’s death at 25 has brought sadness to the Reading Athletic Club community and those who followed her sporting journey.
Her years in athletics included county championship victories in shot put, hammer, and discus, selection to represent Berkshire at the English Schools’ Championships, and a reputation for being dependable when her club needed her.
Although the official tribute does not provide a detailed account of her life outside athletics, it offers a clear picture of someone who devoted many years to competition and to supporting the club she represented.
As family members, teammates, coaches, and fellow athletes remember Leah, her achievements and the commitment she brought to Reading AC remain central to her sporting legacy.
Key Facts About Leah Spratley-Kemp
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Leah Spratley-Kemp |
| Age | 25 |
| Date of death | September 22, 2026 |
| Announcement published | October 23, 2026 |
| Athletics club | Reading Athletic Club |
| Main events | Shot put, hammer, and discus |
| Berkshire county titles | Five |
| Shot put titles | 2013, 2016, and 2018 |
| Hammer title | 2016 |
| Discus title | 2024 |
| Major selection | Represented Berkshire in shot put at the 2017 English Schools’ Championships in Birmingham |
| Father | Nigel Spratley-Kemp, former Great Britain shot putter and club member |
| Other family members named | Mother Janine, brother Alex, and sister Kira |
| Cause of death | Not disclosed in the club tribute |
| Funeral arrangements | Not included in the announcement reviewed |
Disclaimer
This obituary article is based primarily on the official tribute published by Reading Athletic Club on October 23, 2026. The club confirmed Leah Spratley-Kemp’s death, age, athletic achievements, and the names of close family members. A cause of death and funeral arrangements were not provided in the announcement reviewed and have not been inferred.