Greg Searle MBE Head Ambassador Expand Winning gold in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and Bronze in London 2012, Greg is a globaly recognised British Olympic rower. He also holds one World Championship gold, three silver and three bronze. In addition to Greg’s sporting accolades, he is the author of ‘If Not Now, When?’ and regularly takes the stage as an inspirational speaker. His involvement with charities extends far beyond sport, as he delves into areas such as medical research to help prevent illness in children. Greg is Access Sport’s head Ambassador and was made an Honorary Patron in 2018 due to his support and commitment to changing the lives of disadvantaged young people through sport. He has been working directly with team members on development and fundraising.Furthermore, Greg regularly leads our annual dinner 'A Question of Access Sport'. “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 Greg Searle, Linkedin
Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE Expand Kate a former captain of GB and England Women’s Hockey Team. Kate holds a myriad of international titles, the most notable being an Olympic gold medal which she won at the 2016 Rio Olympic games. Kate is a very proactive supporter of Access Sport, regularly attending events including the annual dinner. Kate shares her experience through motivational speaking, centred around team-work, leadership and inclusion. Kate is currently an ambassador for Women’s Sport Trust where her efforts work towards creating visible, strong female role models. Kate has been a keen supporter of the Disability Inclusion Programme’s work, to make hockey more inclusive through Flyerz hockey. In 2013 Kate, and wife Helen, attended the very first Flyerz Festival and travelled with the Flyerz team for the European ParaHockey Championships in Amsterdam, where they came away with the gold! They are both active advocates of inclusivity in hockey at the grass roots level also running a Hockey workshop for youth in local areas. 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
Helen Richardson-Walsh MBE Expand Helen has been a member of both England and Team GB hockey since 1999, winning numerous Commonwealth, Euro, World and Olympic medals, the most notable being a gold medal won at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Helen is a committed supporter of our annual dinner and we were honoured to have her attend and host this year. She is a very vocal and keen advocate of mental health support and also stands strongly for inclusion within sport among the LGBT community. Helen has been very involved with our Flyerz Inclusive Hockey project, accompanying a Flyerz team to attend the European ParaHockey Championships in Amsterdam. Helen has also traveled to Barcelona to support a Flyerz ParaHockey match. Helen, and wife Kate also hosted an exclusive event at the Richardson-Moore suit at the Vitality Hockey World Cup, helping to inspire others in inclusive youth hockey. Since then Helen and her wife Kate have started their own Flyerz hockey club for the young people in their area and continues to inspire and support others to do the same. Twitter: @h_richarson8
Gail Emms MBE Expand Gail has achieved international success through English Badminton, winning gold in the 2006 World Championships and silver at the 2004 Olympic Games. Following her retirement, in 2014 Gail founded Gail Emms Consultancy and is the female face and voice of badminton, with the aim to inspire a new generation of athletes that know no boundaries. Gail has long supported Access Sport, regularly donating a unique Badminton Master class to be won at the annual dinner. It is always a pleasure to welcome Gail to the Dinner every year as one of our sporting Captains.
Shanaze Reade Expand Shanaze is a former professional British BMXer and track cyclist, who has won the BMX World Championships three times and the team track sprint 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 has become an ambassador for British Cycling, Sported and Access Sport - Shanaze is also an active supporter of Access Sport’s Making Trax Cycling Programme, previously running a BMX camp to help engage more young people (have a look at the video below). She has also been supporting Access Sport’s expansion of the Making Trax programme in Bristol, speaking about her BMX journey at fundraising events and promoting the programme.
Rebecca Charlton Expand Rebecca Charlton is a TV presenter, journalist and author. Rebecca has written two books on cycling with Bloomsbury and can be found presenting and commentating on channels including Eurosport and ITV. As well as contributing to a number of magazines on all things fitness and cycling Rebecca is an event host and public speaker. She regularly hosts large-scale stage Q&As at events such as the Cycle Show, the London Bike Show and live events such as Zwift live and the Bike Biz Awards. Rebecca regularly attends the Access Sport annual dinner as well as supporting and visiting projects specifically around cycling. “I was very fortunate to have sport in my life from a young age, bringing confidence, friendships and a career for the future - I would like to see a point where no young person is denied the opportunity to benefit from sport in some way which is why I’m so proud to be an Access Sport ambassador, supporting their incredible & vital work wherever possible” - Rebecca Charlton Instagram: @beccacharlton_insta Twitter: @BeccaCharlton
Vanessa Raw Expand Once professional triathlete, now professional artist, Vanessa achieved 8 top ten positions and won 3 medals between 2006 and 2010 after taking part in 26 ITU competitions. Away from sport, Vanessa uses her degree in Fine Art and passion as an artist to paint - many of which go on to be sold for charity, raising thousands. Vanessa is a keen supporter of Access Sport’s work that seeks to provide disadvantaged children and young people with a physical literacy in swimming, cycling and running. Vanessa has also supported the annual dinner and previously provided her artwork for the auction.
Ali Jawad Expand Ali is a Paralympic Silver Medalist, powerlifting World/Euro Champion and setter of world records. Despite being told that his disability and illness could kill him, Ali is a true champion of adversity. As of July 2018, Ali has been appointed to the board of Commonwealth Games England. Additionally, He is also a member of the UK Anti-Doping committee and works closely with the charity Crohn’s & Colitis charity UK. Ali particularly supports our Disability Inclusion Programme aimed at giving more young disabled people, specifically those in disadvantaged areas, access to sport. As a passionate advocate for inclusion he has also most recently launched the app Accessercise, the first ever fitness app for people with impairments. “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
Jordanne Whiley MBE Expand Aged 14 Jordanne won the British National wheelchair tennis championships becoming the youngest champion ever. She holds 10 Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles as well as a Paralympic bronze medal. Jordanne is a keen charity supporter, working around the world to help transform the lives of disadvantaged children. As an Access Sport Ambassador, Jordanne actively supports our club programs and events. “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 MBE Expand As a former Team GB 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’. Alex also acts as a Senior Athlete Mentor as part of the Youth Sport Trust. In 2017, Alex set up the Alex Danson Hockey Academy to engage with children between 7-11 and use of passion for Hockey to inspire new generations of athletes.
Jody Cundy OBE 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 win was a stunning victory, setting a new Paralympic record in Rio 2016. He also holds an impressive 21 World Championship medals. Joe is currently an ambassador at Limb Power and Access Sport, spreading his passion for inspiring the future Paralympic youth. Jody uses his love of cycling to work with charities such as Action Medical Research, to fundraise and lead events.
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 Paralympic World Cup, and thereby becoming the first athlete to achieve an under 25 seconds time in the event. He represented Great Britain at the Paralympic Games in Beijing 2008, winning a silver medal in the T36 100m and bronze in the T36 200 at the 2012 Summer Paralympics held in London. Ben is a supporter of Sporting Family Change, an organisation focused on improving lifestyles through sport and nutrition. Living by the Moto ‘be the best you can be’, Ben is a true advocate of sporting success through handwork and perseverance. Ben has spoken at influencer dinners for Access Sport and supports Access Sport's Disability Inclusion work in Bristol.
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 more ferocious 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, most recently winning the ‘New On Screen Talent Award’. Steve is also keen to support UK charities, recently raising thousands for ‘Action Medical Research’. Steve is keen to support the creation of more pathways into sport for young people with disabilities and has spoken passionately on this subject recently at our Influencer Dinners. “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
Quillan Isidore Expand Professional BMX rider Quillan, competed in the time trials at the 2015 World Championships. Quillan is an avid supporter of Access Sport’s BMX Legacy Programme. He learnt to race on the first track built by Access Sport's cycling programme, Peckham BMX, and his and fellow ambassador Tre’s, incredible story was made into the feature length film 1 Way Up. Quillan is an ambassador of the Making Trax cycling programme and spoke at the reception during the expansion of the programme in Bristol. 1 Way Up trailer:
Tre Whyte Expand National BMX champion, in 2014 Tre claimed bronze in the World Championships. Tre is a keen supporter and Ambassador of the Making Trax cycling programme. Outside of his sporting endeavours Tre has also worked with the England Footballers Foundation, in an effort to improve local clubs and promote BMX. Originally he learnt to race on the first track built by Access Sport's cycling programme, Peckham BMX, and his and fellow ambassador Quillan’s, incredible story was made into the feature length film ‘1 Way Up’. Tre is a committed supporter and ambassador to the Making Trax cycling programme, showing his support by regularly attending dinners and speaking at the reception to launch the programme in Bristol. 1 Way Up trailer:
Jason Lee Expand Former English hockey player and coach, Jason played for Great Britain and England, scoring 35 goals, before taking up coaching. He is a double olympic athlete, playing at the 1992 and 1996 summer Olympics and a triple olympic coach. Jason has also won EuroHockey, World League and Champions Trophy titles. Jason has also taken it upon himself to work with disadvantaged children as a method of building their confidence through sport. Jason stands as a committed ambassador for Access Sport and believes strongly in our programmes as a way of tackling social exclusion.
Craig McCann Expand Representing Team GB at the 2012 Paralympics in fencing and becoming a three-time Paracycling National Champion, Craig achieved global success. After a brain tumour was found during a routine medical check for the RAF, Craig turns his focus from serving the country to representing it on the world stage. Giving back is a major part of the way Craig goes about his life, raising money not only to inspire the youth into sport, but also fund medical research. Craig epitomises dedication and perseverance. Craig is an Access Sport Ambassador and supporter of the Disability Inclusion programme. “I have always been a part of local clubs throughout my sporting career. With them being pivotal in my development from amateur to Paralympic Athlete, it's fantastic to see access sport providing and supporting local opportunities and sports clubs. It's a privilege to represent and support Access Sport.” Craig McCann
Sam Brearey Expand Sam is a double world and triple European and National sailing champion. Away from his time sailing, Sam is dedicated to creating and supporting opportunities for young people to be involved in sport, education, employment training and volunteering. Sam works closely with many charities and focuses on helping disadvantaged children through sport and giving back to the community. Not only does Sam take the time to work closely and individually mentor young aspiring sailers, but he has also worked with Sport England as the face of their online portal. Sam is an Access Sport Ambassador and supporter of the Disability Inclusion programme. “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
Rob Richardson Expand Rob was the captain of Team GB Sitting Volleyball at both London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. Rob’s determination to succeed also sees him becoming a world recognised Para -Skeleton athlete in London 2012, and the 2016 World Championships. Rob is a public advocate of the Paralympic movement and through this works closely with local schools, sports centres and charities - inspiring and engaging children with sport. Rob is an Access Sport ambassador and supporter of the Disability Inclusion programme. “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
Martin Keown Expand Martin Keown is a former professional footballer who played as a defender most notably in the Premier League for Arsenal where he made over 400 appearances and won ten honours. During his career he also played for Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa, Everton, Leicester City and Reading, making his England debut in 1992 against France and went on to win 43 caps for the national side over the next 10 years. Mark is an ambassador for the Arsenal Foundation, working across the world in disadvantaged areas, notably opening pitches and inspiring young children in Syria. Martin has been working closely with the Access Sport team in Oxfordshire to help support disadvantaged and disabled young people in his area.