Greg Searle Expand British Olympic rower, Greg won gold in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and 20 years later returned to the water in the men’s eight to secure a bronze medal. In addition to Greg’s Olympic successes, he also holds one World Championship gold, three silver and three bronze. Greg is Access Sport’s lead Ambassador and is also an Access Sport Trustee. Greg has also long supported both the Annual Dinner and our London Cycle Sportive. “I support Access Sport because it sits close to my personal values. I was fortunate to have access to great sports facilities as a kid. My parents were great role models for me and I met many great people through sport. I now try to give my own kids the same opportunities but I know many young people aren’t so lucky. By supporting Access Sport I hope I can do something to help.” Greg Searle
Kate Richardson-Walsh Expand Current captain for GB and England Women’s Hockey team, Kate holds a number of international titles, the most notable being an Olympic gold medal which she won at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Kate is a supporter of Access Sport’s Annual Dinner and is one of this year’s attending sport stars. Kate has been a keen supporter of the Ignite Programme’s work to make hockey more inclusive through Flyerz hockey. In 2013 Kate attended the very first Flyerz Festival, you can check out the video here. “It is an honour to be an Access Sport Ambassador and to be involved in Flyerz Hockey.” Kate Richardson-Walsh
Gail Emms Expand Retired English Badminton player, Gail has achieved international success; most notable of these perhaps is winning the World Championships in 2006 and a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Gail has long supported Access Sport, regularly donating a unique Badminton Master class to be won at our ‘A Question of Access Sport’ Annual Dinner. And this autumn we are excited to welcome Gail to the Annual Dinner as one of our Top Captains, alongside Phil Tufnell and Paul Merson.
Ali Jawad Expand A leader of Paralympic Team GB and Gold medal prospect at Rio 2016. Despite being told that his disability and illness could kill him, British power lifter Ali has set world records, won World Championships, European titles and Commonwealth medals. Ali is a true champion of adversity. Ali particularly supports our Ignite Program aimed at giving more young, disabled people, particularly those in disadvantaged areas, access to sport. “Having faced up hill struggles all my life, being born with no legs and then being diagnosed with Chron's disease, seeing the support Access Sport give to your people in disadvantaged areas or suffering hardship is amazing. I'm proud and honoured to support such a forward thinking charity.” Ali Jawad
Steph Cooke Expand Retired modern pentathlete and Olympic gold medallist, Steph won her gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Games, the very first time the Pentathlon was introduced to the Games. After winning individual European and World titles, in 2001 Steph retired from her professional sporting career and dedicated her time to her career within medicine. Steph will attend this year’s Annual Dinner as a Sport Star. “I am very passionate about sport and know the many social and health benefits it brings. This is why I believe that the work Access Sport do is so important; using the unique power of sport to bring communities together and transform the lives of disadvantaged and disabled young people.” Steph Cooke
Bob Haro Expand Nicknamed “The Godfather of freestyle”, Bob is a former freestyle BMX rider and one of the most important innovators of BMX freestyle. In 1978, Haro teamed up with R.L.Osborne to form the very first freestyle BMX team and in 1981 Haro designed the first frame and fork tailored for freestyle BMX. The bike became commercially available in 1982 and was marketed as the Haro freestyler. Today the Haro bike is one of the most used for freestyle BMX. Bob is an Ambassador and keen supporter of Access Sport’s BMX Legacy Programme and has previously visited Hackney BMX Club.
Jordanne Whiley Expand Aged 14 Jordanne won the British National wheelchair tennis championships becoming the youngest champion ever. She holds several Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles as well as a Paraolympic bronze medal. Jordanne is an Access Sport Ambassador. She actively supports our club programs and events. This year she will be attending the Annual Dinner. “I believe it is so important for all people, no matter from what background, to be able to play sport. Sport gave me body confidence as well as general confidence in life, I was a shy skinny child but as soon as I started playing tennis I came out of my shell. Sport has changed my life and I love what I do, that's why I support this amazing charity, access sport, because I want others to have what I have.” Jordanne Whiley
Alex Danson Expand English field hockey player, Alex has won numerous Commonwealth, Euro, World and Olympic medals, the most notable being a gold medal won at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In addition to her medals, she has also won several honours and rewards, the most recent in 2015 when she was voted 4th in the Sports Journalist’s association’s “Sportswoman of the Year.
Helen Richardson-Walsh Expand English field hockey player, Helen has won numerous Commonwealth, Euro, World and Olympic medals, the most notable being a gold medal won at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Helen supports our Annual Dinner and is one of this year’s attending sports star.
Shanaze Reade Expand Professional British BMXer and track cyclist, Shanaze has won the BMX World Championships three times and the Team sprint in track twice. In 2005 Shanaze was named one of the “Magnificent 7”, and in 2007 she was named The Sunday Times Young Sportswoman of the Year. Shanaze is an Ambassador and keen supporter of Access Sport’s BMX Legacy Programme.
Liam Phillips Expand Professional BMX racer, Liam started biking at the age of five and won ten consecutive BMX national titles between the age of 5 and 14. His most notable achievements include a European Gold in 1999 and a World Championship title in 2013. Liam was part of the British Team at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics and will be heading to Rio this summer.
Mark Foster Expand English former competitive swimmer, Mark is amongst the most successful British swimmers of all time having six World Championship titles, two Commonwealth titles and eleven European titles. Mark has previously supported our Annual Dinner and in 2013 helped us celebrate the launch of our Tri-3-Sportz Project in partnership with lead Corporate Partner Columbia Threadneedle.
Jamie Baulch Expand Former British sprint athlete, Jamie has won both single and relay titles on Olympic, World and European level in his distance 400m. Outside of his athletic career Jamie dedicates his time to his job within the media business, and to philanthropic work.
Jody Cundy Expand Paralympic Cyclist and former Paralympic Swimmer, Jody has represented Team GB at six Summer Paralympics winning six Gold medals across both disciplines, his most recent won in a stunning victory, setting a new Paralympic record in Rio 2016. He also holds an impressive 21 World Championship medals.
Ben Rushgrove Expand Ben is a British spring runner with cerebral palsy. Running in the T36 class he sat a world record in the T36 200m at the 2007 Visa Paraolympic World Cup, and thereby becoming the first athlete to achieve a under 25 seconds time in the event. He represented Great Britain in the T36 100m and 200m at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, won a silver medal in the T36 100m at the Paralympic Games in Beijing 2008 and bronze in the T36 200 at the 2012 Summer Paralympics held in London. Ben has spoken at influencer dinners for Access Sport and supports Access Sport Bristol Ignite program.
Steve Brown Expand At age 24 Steve suffered spinal cord injury as a result of an accident and was left unable to walk but with a hunger to achieve bigger than ever. Since then Steve has won numerous medals and captained GB wheelchair rugby team at the 2012 London Paralympics. In addition to his athletic career, Steve works as a Coach, Athlete Mentor and TV presenter across sport and factual. Steve has spoken at various Access Sport events, and will be attending the annual dinner this year. “Sport is important; it not only helps you become stronger and faster but more focused and reflective as well. It provides you with the opportunity to meet motivating people from all different walks of life. It also a platform where your background is not important and gives everyone an equal opportunity. Access Sport’s mission to transform more young lives through the power of sport is very close to my heart, I am very proud to be supporting such a worthwhile cause.” Steve Brown
Rebecca Romero Expand Former World and Olympic Champion in Rowing and Cycling. Excelling at two sports, Rebecca won a Silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a Gold medal at the World Championships the following year. After retiring from rowing due to an injury she took up track cycling and went on to win a Silver medal at the World Championships in 2007 and an Olympic Gold medal in 2008. In 2013 Rebecca joined the Access Sport team for the annual London Cycle Sportive, cheering riders though the finish line and awarding them their hard earned medals.
David James Expand Retired English Footballer, James is fourth on the list of all-time Premier League appearances, and held the Premier League record for most clean sheets with 170 until Petr Cech surpassed this record.
Rob Richardson Expand Rob is captain of Team GB Sitting Volleyball at London 2012 Olympics. Mastering one sport is not enough for Rob who is now training hard in both Sitting Volleyball in preparation for Rio 2016, and budding to be the first ever Para Skeleton Gold medalist ahead of 2018 Winter Games. Never accepting defeat is Rob’s guiding principal. Rob is an Ambassador for the Access Sport Ignite program. “I have always been an active person who has been determined to be included despite my disability. I know first-hand the importance of social inclusion and access to local sport. It's great that Access Sport are giving opportunities to more children to access quality local sport.” Rob Richardson
Sam Brearey Expand World and triple European sailing champion. Sam is dedicated to maximising his time away from sailing to create and support opportunities for young people to be involved in sport, education, employment training and volunteering. Sam is an Access Sport Ignite Ambassador. “Having grown up through local club sport, I know the importance of ensuring young athletes of all abilities have the opportunities at local level. It's great to see access sport developing these by empowering local communities.” Sam Brearey