From finding belonging at a casual kickabout in Glasgow to managing Access Sport’s Inclusive Club Network, Shana knows first-hand how powerful inclusive community sport can be.

Now, having experienced its impact in her own life, Shana is lacing up her running shoes to take on the London Marathon later this month, proudly representing Access Sport. In the article below, Shana shares the story behind her epic marathon challenge and her dedication to ensuring all young people have access to welcoming, empowering sporting environments.

Article by Shana Lord.

When something changes your life in a meaningful way, you feel compelled to give back. That’s why I’m running the London Marathon to support the thing that has shaped my life over the past few years - community sport.

I’ve always been involved in sport. As a kid, I bounced between dancing, tennis, running, volleyball - you name it, I tried it. But I never truly felt part of a team. I didn’t feel good enough, or one bad experience would put me off returning. By the time I finished high school, I’d stopped playing team sports altogether.

Fast forward 15 years, and I’m living in Glasgow, enjoying running, but missing a sense of community. Then one day, while chatting to people in my local coffee shop, someone mentioned a casual kickabout at the nearby pitches. Maybe it was the caffeine, but I said I’d go along to help make up the numbers. Thank goodness I did.

Four years on, that friendly kickabout has grown into Queens Park Strangers, a community football club offering weekly inclusive sessions for more than 90 adults in the Southside of Glasgow. And yes, the football itself is great - but it’s really about the connections, sense of belonging and building a supportive, vibrant community.

In my role at Access Sport, when I speak to clubs about the inclusive communities they’re building and the opportunities they create for young people, I truly understand what a lifeline those clubs can be. Sport may be the starting point, but the real magic happens around it.

That’s where our Inclusive Club Network comes in – it offers a space for over 650 community clubs, coaches and volunteers to connect, share learnings and celebrate the incredible work happening in communities across the UK.

So, when the email arrived saying, “Congratulations, you’re in!” after years of unsuccessful London Marathon ballot entries (I honestly didn’t believe anyone ever got in), I was obviously going to join Team Access Sport.

I’m raising money to help us continue strengthening our Inclusive Club Network - creating a collaborative space where coaches and volunteers feel confident and equipped to welcome more disadvantaged and disabled young people.

Our mission is simple: ensure all young people can experience the life-changing benefits of community sport.

The friendships formed and the “off the pitch” moments shared through Queens Park Strangers are what make me the proudest. Running the marathon is my way of paying that forward, so that more young people can find their team.

Thank you for supporting me and for supporting Access Sport to keep doing their amazing work.

Donate to Shana’s fundraising page now to help us transform young lives through the power of community sport!

Shana’s JustGiving Page >