Ambassadors raise the profile of learning disability sport
Throughout 2015, our My Sport, My Voice! Ambassadors have been raising the profile our learning disability sport across the UK by speaking at a variety of events at schools, colleges, conferences, sports clubs and award ceremonies.
Twelve different Athlete Ambassadors and four Athlete Reps have attended more than 20 events since our Ambassadors officially launched the My Sport, My Voice! project at the inaugural INAS Awards in April 2015.
On that evening, Paralympian Dan Pepper stole the show as co-presenter of the glitzy award ceremony and he was joined on stage by fellow Ambassadors Paralympic swimmer Bethany Firth, Paralympic Development Academy sprinter Marcel Hodge, and INAS tennis multi-medallist Peter Millar.
Later that month, World and European heptathlete champion Martina Barber, European table tennis champion Adam Thompson, and England learning disability football captain Josh Walne shared their experiences by delivering a workshop session at the Learning Disability Today Conference at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.
Other highlights have included; Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jack Thomas inspiring the next generation by giving a question and answers session to aspiring sports stars at the Inclusive Future’s Inclusive Beach Sports Day in Swansea.
England and Surrey cricketer Jonny Gale was a guest at Global Action to Combat Negative Attitudes to Intellectual Disability conference and exhibition at the University of Central London.
IPC World and European silver medallist, Scott Quin and multi-medallist T20/F20 sprinter Robert Ferrol have inspired audiences at the Kidz Scotland Exhibition near Edinburgh and have delivered their own workshop at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
In Northern Ireland, Bethany Firth gave an inspirational questions and answers session to school children at the Teenage Kicks Fair at Lisburn City Library.
More recently, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Tom Hamer was joined by Josh Walne as he returned to his old school in Rossendale, Lancashire to give a presentation to pupils and staff.
Our Ambassadors and Reps will be attending more events in their communities in 2016, so keep your eye out for them and if you would like to host an event please email: comms@sportexceluk.org