“I want to create a network that encourages open communication, celebrates each other's successes, and learns from each other’s experiences"

Access Sport is pleased to announce the appointment of Shana Lord as our new Inclusive Club Network Manager. 

Shana takes over this new role as the Inclusive Club Network Manager with ambitions of growing the network’s reach to over a 1000 community sport clubs.

Article by Shana Lord, Inclusive Club Network Manager

What drew me to Access Sport was their dedication and determination to making sport accessible to all young people. The community clubs, coaches, and volunteers we work with are the heart of what we do, and I’m excited to be part of the growing network that will join them all together.

Like many of us, the last few years have been tough for me, with the effects of the pandemic impacting my job and social life. I found it difficult to transition back into normality. I struggled to exercise, stick to plans, and very quickly became stuck in an unhealthy routine that was negatively affecting my mental health.

Until one afternoon I was in my local coffee shop and overheard the barista and another customer organising a casual football kickabout in the park. I’m still not sure what came over me, but I interrupted and asked if I could join them.

From that moment on I’ve never looked back and have since turned that wee kickabout in the park into a community football club, Queens Park Strangers FC. 

Watching this club grow and seeing the transformational benefits it’s having on the people in our community has reignited my love for football and made it clear to me that grassroots sports clubs and the people involved in them can be, and are, life changing. As someone who has learned so much from my club and teammates, but also from other sports clubs in our community, I believe the Inclusive Club Network will be such a powerful tool for community clubs to continue growing and improving their inclusive offers.

I want to create a network that encourages open communication, celebrates each other's successes, and learns from each other’s experiences, whilst continuing to make inclusion the norm for all young people. 

The Inclusive Club Network will help clubs sustain and grow what they are already doing through events, training, and resources, that can be accessed at any time.

Our next event, Youth Voice and Your Club, will explore how young people can enhance your club's offer through volunteering and engagement in decision making.

Join us and learn more about the benefits of including young people in your club’s journey.

You can see the details and register for this upcoming webinar below.

Thursday 11 April 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm 

Sign Up>

The network is all about the clubs in it, so please reach out to me with any thoughts, ideas, or questions you may have, I’d love to hear from you: [email protected]