The Team Around the Client Magazine
September 2024 | Edition 13
A note from our Guest Editor
On the back of Alfie Hewett’s phenomenal performance at Wimbledon, and with the Paralympics in full swing, this 13th Edition of our Team Around the Client Magazine focuses on the life-changing benefits that sport can provide for people with disabilities.
As always, we are incredibly grateful to our contributors, each of whom go above and beyond to ensure that disability is no barrier to participation. Each can attest to the fact that sport provides visibility, opportunity, and community.
It seems only fitting to start with two performance level athletes. Martin Sinclair and Katrina Hart, both Paralympians, share their wisdom on the importance of disability sport for visibility.
We then move on to an interview with Alison McKay of Bristol City Cerebral Palsy Football Club following the resounding success of their international football tournament in August, for which we were the headline sponsor.
Following this, Abigail Ringer spotlights the incredible Riding for the Disabled Association (‘RDA’), which celebrates its 55th anniversary this year. Given GB’s history of achieving medals in para-equestrian dressage, it may be that the RDA are talent-spotting future Paralympians as we speak!
Next up we learn how important Gloucester Disability Cricket Club has been for our client, Saeed Majed. This is followed by an insight from Nicola Cale of the Silverlining charity on the importance of the community that sport provides – not just for participants – for their families too.
We then turn to an organisation that is truly making waves. Tricia Grout speaks to Susie Croft and Ian Bennett of The Wave Project, which has now brought the joys of adapted surfing to four hubs in Southern England.
Finally, Tracy Norris-Evans and Dr Audrey Daisley, co-founders of Ahead Together, explore the healing impact that sport can have on families following a brain injury.
Whether you are interested in exploring opportunities in Disability Sport, or just need another sporting fix during Ad breaks in the Paralympics coverage, we hope that you enjoy this latest Edition of Team Around the Client Magazine.”
Ben Lees, Partner and Guest Editor of this Edition of the Team Around the Client Magazine.
"My PE teacher knew how much I love sports - she was a GB athlete as well. She never put my disability as a barrier for me... It would be 'if someone else in your class can do this, you can give it a go, too'... It meant I felt like I was like every other classmate."
Katrina Hart, Paralympic Athlete and Commonwealth Gold Medallist
"It's what happens when you've got people talking about these different experiences, different cultures, different disabilities.... you create a community"
Martin Sinclair, Co-Founder of the Disability Football Collective and former England CP Footballer
Sport and its importance for children with cerebral palsy.
For children with physical disabilities this isn’t always the case and they can face barriers and a lack of support (by schools and sports clubs) in engaging in both individual and team sports. It is therefore heartening to know that Bristol is one of the leading cities offering opportunity to its disabled community.
Spotlight on the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)
This year marks the 55th anniversary of RDA which was founded in 1969 after the benefits of riding for children and adults with disabilities was being increasingly realised.
Spotlight on Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation
We look at how the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation helps to build community for those living with disability through making cricket accessible.
Spotlight on The Wave Project
Speaking with Ian Bennett and Susie Croft about their charity giving those living with disability access to surfing.
How can disability sport build community?
Nicola Cale from CCMS explains how she’s seen sport as a force for good for those living with disabilities, particularly how they help to build a community around people’s interests.
Rebuilding hope on the playing field: how sport can heal families after brain injury.
Founders of the Ahead Together Conference, Dr Audrey Daisley and our own Tracy Norris-Evans, look at how sport can be healing for families after brain injury.
