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As the summer of inclusive sport comes to a close, which has seen the Lionesses defend their Euros title in Switzerland, the Red Roses shine at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and an array of wheelchair tennis stars take the limelight at Wimbledon, Access Sport has launched a bold new campaign to turn the country’s attention to inclusion at the grassroots level.

Thanks to the incredible support of Ocean Outdoor, Digital Out of Home (DOOH) billboards will showcase powerful first-hand stories from young people who have overcome barriers and found belonging through inclusive community sport.

From Grace, who co-founded a disability-inclusive basketball club, to Elliot, who discovered confidence on the climbing wall, to Judd, whose life was turned around by BMX, and Basel, who found joy through swimming and tennis - these stories shine a light on what’s possible when every young person has access to sport.

Aligned with our commitment to inclusion, Elliot’s advert has been designed using British Sign Language (BSL) illustrations to reflect how he communicates. It aims to ensure that Deaf young people see themselves represented authentically. By incorporating BSL, Access Sport is highlighting the importance of inclusion, making sure that the campaign not only talks about inclusion but actively demonstrates it.

Too many disabled and disadvantaged young people still face barriers that stop them from taking part in sport. Hear My Story amplifies their voices to inspire change and support for a more inclusive sporting landscape.

Helen Rowbotham, CEO of Access Sport, said:

“These stories show the true impact of inclusive community sport – confidence, friendship, belonging, and joy. Showcasing them on billboards nationwide will help the voices of the young people we support to be heard and understood. Together we want to inspire others to join our mission to make inclusion the norm, so that no young person, no matter their postcode, background, or ability, is excluded from community sport.”

Ocean partners with a range of elite sports bodies, grassroots charities and not-for-profits, giving them the chance to tell their stories through Out of Home (OOH) advertising. Ocean has a particular focus on celebrating inclusivity in sport, working to level the playing field once and for all. Ocean’s other sports partnerships include Team GB, ParalympicsGB, Special Olympics GB, UK Deaf Sport and DeaflympicsGB.

Kevin Henry, Director of Ocean Outdoor Partnerships, said:

“Hear My Story is a brilliant example of how DOOH can shine a light on real lives, real communities, and the organisations making a difference. Providing a national public platform for stories like these has a significant impact, and we know first-hand how it can positively change lives. We will continue to work with organisation like Access Sport to build a fairer, more inclusive world.”

We’re also inviting members of the public to get involved by spotting the billboards in their communities.

If you see a Hear My Story advert, we’d love for you to take a picture and share it on social media, tagging @AccessSport. Every share helps amplify these young people’s voices even further and spreads the message that inclusion should be the norm in sport.

You can discover the stories of our young people by clicking the link below.

Hear My Story >