"Ever since attending Spitfires, Jason has gained confidence, and has increased his attention and focus"
 - Jason's Mother

Redbridge Spitfires is a BMX club based in East London that won the prestigious Inclusive Club of the Year Award at Access Sport's Stand for Inclusion Awards in March 2023. 

What sets the Redbridge Spitfires apart from other BMX clubs is their commitment to inclusivity. The club welcomes riders of all abilities and backgrounds and has a team for almost every age group. 

A parent of a Redbridge Spitfires participant said:

"Jason is autistic and has many challenges among which are communication and social skills. He’s always solitary, even in a crowd and as a parent, the isolation is heart-breaking. Eventually, Jason started gaining confidence not only on BMX tracks but also in using his words. He started talking to Ellie (a Young Leader and coach) and she patiently listens to him. Ever since attending Spitfires, Jason has gained confidence, and has increased his attention and focus.” 

The club also focuses on developing its riders' skills and confidence both on and off the track. They provide coaching sessions to help riders develop their BMX skills, but also in education and employment. The club leaders – Nikki and Julian Tysoe – have involved the riders in the decision-making since the club started. Redbridge Spitfires is an amazing example of a club with limited resources being able to adapt to include riders with a range of needs.