Find out more about our plans to transform 20,000 lives in our 20th anniversary year

On Wednesday 28 February, 200 guests attended Access Sport's 20th Anniversary Celebration event.

Ambassadors, partners and key sport for development organisations joined us on the breath taking 42nd floor of the Leadenhall Building in central London. Together we celebrated our impact over the last two decades and explored what we can achieve together in the future. 

The evening kicked off with a warm welcome from our CEO, Helen Rowbotham and Youth Board Member, Eniola Oyesanya.

It was fantastic to see so many influential sporting figures and partners in attendance, including: Sport England CEO, Tim Hollingsworth, Nuffield Health Medical Director and Charity Director, Davina Deniszczyc, LTA Tennis Foundation Chair, Tim Lawler (MBE), Olympic gold medallists and Access Sport Ambassadors Greg Searle (MBE) as well as Kate Richardson-Walsh (OBE) and many more.

There was a real feeling of togetherness on the evening, with a clear sense that the sector was ready to collaboratively achieve our shared objectives. 

After the guests were welcomed, Unofficial Partner Podcast host, Richard Gillis introduced our panel for the evening:

• Charlie Beauchamp, Founder of Access Sport
• Greg Searle, Head Ambassador of Access Sport
• Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England
• Ladi Ajayi, Head of Sport at AKD Solutions Ltd
• Emma Colverd, Founder of Safehaven Basketball Club.
• Helen Rowbotham, CEO of Access Sport

The panel discussion started with a lively debate that covered Access Sport’s unique impact over the last 20 years, why our work continues to be important and how the sport for development sector can be more collaborative going forward.

The conversation then moved on to the legacy of the 2012 Olympics and how the government could work better with the sport for the development sector to address societal inequalities.

There was agreement across the panel that sport and exercise need to be reprioritised and used as a preventive course of action to address the country's declining activity and fitness levels.

Richard Gillis chaired the discussion brilliantly and will be recording an episode of the Unofficial Partner Podcast with the panel in the coming weeks so that the discussion can be shared as widely as possible. Keep an eye on our website and social media for this exciting upcoming podcast

Following the panel discussion, Helen Rowbotham gave a shout-out to our partners at Nuffield Health with whom we have been delivering multiple projects across Greater Manchester with a focus on getting disabled and disadvantaged young people active.

To close off the night, we also announced our new 20th Anniversary Campaign showing an inspiring film about Safe Haven Basketball Club. 

Thank you to our hosts for the evening, our sponsors including Perry Ellis and everyone who attended. We appreciate your continued support!

Interested in our 20th Anniversary Campaign?  
Together we can help transform lives through inclusive community sport. You can see the range of partnerships on offer by clicking on the button below.

20th Anniversary Campaign>