Kayla National Youth Board Chair Expand Based in Preston as a sports addict, I currently work at British Gymnastics as the Recreational Competitions and Festivals Partner, helping support grassroots opportunities throughout gymnastics. Having always loved gymnastics and still being involved through coaching and participation, I have recently took up running and CrossFit. "I believe sport can positively impact everyone’s lives, therefore everyone should have the opportunity to experience this impact. I have joined the youth board to help support young people experience the life changing, positive impacts that sport has had on my life so far, and continues to do. My hope is that every child and young adult can have accessible grass-root opportunities that allow developments into performance for all."
Emerlyne Expand Emerlyne is currently an intern at the Lawn Tennis Association. An avid sports enthusiast, she is always eager to explore and learn about various sports. Emerlyne also volunteers as referee and table official at goalball tournaments. “I am on the Youth Board because I strongly believe in the power of sport and the positive impact it can have on individuals and communities, I’m eager to contribute to the Youth Board initiatives to raise awareness and improve accessibility in sport.”
Erin Expand I’m a sports coach and business owner specialising in inclusive tennis, padel, and multi-sport coaching. With a strong focus on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, I deliver tailored sessions for SEN schools, disability groups, and community programmes. My approach is all about creating a supportive, engaging environment where everyone can build confidence, develop skills, and enjoy sport—regardless of ability or background. I’m passionate about breaking down barriers and making sport accessible to all. "I love sport myself and continue to love playing and coaching whilst I make those enjoy it as much as I do."
Jack Expand Growing up with dyslexia, initially, I found it very hard to be at school. When I began participating in sports clubs and opportunities within and outside of school, this changed. I was able to form positive relationships with others, making school a much easier place to be. I want to make sure everyone else is given the same opportunity to experience the transformative effects of sport. Previously, I have worked as a Court of Protection paralegal at a national law firm. Within my role, I supported many disabled individuals' who lacked legal capacity to make decisions for themselves. I now teach PE in primary school's across Bristol and work part-time as an outdoor activity instructor. I really enjoy sport! Currently, I am training for a half ironman distance triathlon and part of a triathlon and cycling club. I have also competed in trampolining competitions and played in many football and rugby teams. "I've joined the Access Sport Youth Board to develop my skills in helping to deliver and promote inclusive sporting sessions. I also want to meaningful contribute to making sport more accessible and use my background in law to investigate any legislative changes needed to achieve this goal."
Mollie Expand Mollie is currently studying Sports Coaching at the University of Worcester. Mollie has played sports her whole life and loves to throw herself into new experiences. Although Mollie spent years competing in handball, her passion is powerchair football. "I hope to introduce others to new sports and watch them discover their passions."
Ruby Expand Ruby is the founder of The Open Yoga Project, a social enterprise that brings adaptive yoga to young people, families and communities who are often excluded from mainstream wellbeing spaces. With a background in sport coaching and a First Class degree in Sport, Exercise and Health Science, Ruby has seen firsthand how much it matters when physical activity is designed with inclusion at its heart. Five years on the Access Sport youth board has been a big part of shaping that belief, inspiring her work and deepening her understanding of what genuine inclusion in sport looks like. “Sport and physical activity can be powerful tools for wellbeing, but too many people never get the chance to experience them. Through joining the Access Sport Youth Board, I hope to use my experience to break down barriers that prevent participation in grassroots sport, creating equitable opportunities for the communities that need it most.”
Sadhika Expand Sadhika is a recent law graduate from Durham University, currently preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Exams. She has been involved in competitive sports since the age of four, participating in Team Durham for swimming and cricket. After overcoming significant back injuries, Sadhika is passionate about advocating for mental health and diversity in sports, aiming to pursue a legal career within the sports industry. “I am excited to join Access Sport to leverage my experiences in navigating a new culture and discovering my identity while promoting inclusion. I am eager to share how sports have positively impacted my mental health and influenced my approach to both my professional and personal life.”
Summer Expand I’ve joined the National Youth Board as I’m passionate about inclusive sport, and as a GB Para Taekwondo athlete it’s made me want to help shape sport for the better. I’m passionate about advocating as someone who is neurodivergent. Voices like mine are underrepresented coming from an ethnic minority background. "To me, youth voice means being passionate and advocating authentically from my lived experiences. I can stand up for what I believe in."
Valentina Expand I’ve been playing sports since I can remember, be it hockey, cricket, gymnastics - you name it! As I’ve travelled through school, university and now into graduate life, sport is a mechanism through which I have connected with the place and people around me. I rely on it heavily for my mental and physical health and so it makes me determined to make a change when I see communities lacking the correct access to sport and the benefits they are missing out on! I’ve worked with teams at my university to improve their funding so they can get their teams off the ground, and it's really taught me what the power of just a few people can do for change. "I’m now looking into a career that prioritises this mindset and being on the National Youth Board has enabled me to meet like-minded amazing young people who have the same vision as me!”
Wesley Expand After finding out I had a disability, and a rapid decline in my physical health, finding disability sport completely changed my outlook on life and what I was capable of, in and out of sport. With opportunities for people with disabilities to be involved in sport becoming scarcer in my community, I have been working to rebuild and develop projects across Swindon, including helping to rebuild Swindon Shock Wheelchair Basketball, supporting my local wheelchair rugby team and providing inclusive sport to local schools. "I've joined the Access Sport Youth Board to help give disadvantaged communities a voice and help shape projects to provide more amazing opportunities - without wheelchair basketball I wouldn't be the person I am today, and I want to help give more people the chance to realise there potential."
Zayn Expand Sport is a way of socialising and developing as people whilst improving both mental and physical health. Zayn has grown up in a sporty family and has developed a lifelong passion for sport, however, also understands the various inequalities in sport, particularly between ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds."Being a part of the Youth Board enables me to help break down barriers in sport whilst supporting my local community, another big passion of mine."