On Wednesday 15th March 2023, 170 guests attended our annual Stand for Inclusion Dinner. Ambassadors, awards winners, partners and friends joined us at the iconic Bluebird restaurant in Chelsea to celebrate Access Sport's work with disadvantaged and disabled children, and to raise much needed funds.

The evening kicked off with a warm welcome from our two hosts and Ambassadors Greg Searle MBE (Olympic Rower) and Shanaze Reade (Olympic Cyclist). We were thrilled to have so many Access Sport ambassadors on the night from the elite world of sport including Olivia Breen, Talan Skeels-Piggins, Caragh McMurtry, Gail Emms MBE, Dave Clarke, Wendy Sly MBE and John Mayock seated and chatting with guests throughout the night. We also welcomed Sir Clive Woodward OBE to the Dinner.

Before the delicious starters were served the silent auction was held for guests to bid for some amazing items and experiences ranging from Sir Chris Hoy, signed and framed jersey, to Declan Brooks', Olympic BMX bike or 2023 Twickenham rugby union ticket bundle and many more!

Then came the main attraction of the night, the Access Sport Award winners. This year’s awards recognised the exceptional contribution and efforts that the award winners made to help increase, inclusive sporting opportunities in their local communities and clubs for disadvantaged and disabled children and young people.

Congratulations to the Access Sport award winners 2023:

Inclusive club of the year: Redbridge Spitfires BMX presented by Shanaze Reade

Redbridge Spitfires is a BMX club run by volunteers Nikki and Julian Tysoe. Access Sport has supported the club since 2019 to run weekly sessions. Although a small club they have been proactive in welcoming children with additional needs, adapting to suit everyone’s abilities, and have now established a reputation for being great with children on the autistic spectrum.

Innovation in Inclusion: Adaptive CrossFit Henleaze presented by Greg Searle

Tom Maggs noticed the lack of opportunity for disabled young adults to be physically active in his work as an NHS Physiotherapist. He decided to launch adaptive CrossFit sessions at his local gym, with the support of Access Sport. The sessions have been hugely popular with neurodivergent young people, those with learning disabilities and/or physical impairments. So far no one has attended a free taster session without coming back!

Volunteer of the year: Rhys Parry presented by Shanaze Reade

Rhys has excelled both as a tennis player and coach at Cotham park Tennis Club. As a volunteer of Access Sport and Bristol Parks Tennis he looks out for opportunities to help people improve their tennis and have fun! Rhys is a role model for disabled young people, showing them that they can achieve their goals with hard work and a supportive network.

Following the awards presentation, there was an opportunity for guests to bid in our live auction conducted by Greg Searle. With 5 specialised auction lots which included experiencing an incredible night of European football at old Trafford, a Henley Royal Regatta VIP experience with Greg Searle MBE, a tour of Wimbledon and the all England lawn tennis club, Bespoke team day with Olympic gold medallists and a BMX experience with Olympian Shanaze Reade.

To close off the night Sir Clive Woodward OBE was invited onto stage. He talked about how important inclusion in sport is to him and how diversity and inclusion has helped make the best teams he has been involved with.

Thank you to our hosts for the evening and everyone that supported. We hope to see you again next year!

View the photos from the night by clicking through the gallery below, or click here to visit the gallery to download an image: