Variety, the Children’s Charity has announced the talented finalists for the Variety Disability Sports Awards – the UK’s only annual disability sports awards.
From emerging talents to outstanding individuals and teams the awards
recognise the outstanding accomplishments of disabled sportspeople and clubs that have made the sporting world a more diverse and inclusive place.
Hosted by comedian and presenter Adam Hills MBE, the awards ceremony, in association with Channel 4, will take place on November 25 at @sohoplace Theatre.
The finalists in six prestigious categories have been shortlisted by Variety's expert committee after being nominated by partner national sport bodies.
Winners will also be announced for a ‘Special Lifetime Achievement Award’, ‘Sports Icon Award’, ‘Variety International Award’ and ‘Charity Champion Award’ – all specially selected by Variety, Channel 4 and ParalympicsGB.
From passionate individuals designing inclusive playgrounds, creating environments where children of all abilities can play together, to disabled athletes breaking barriers – including the first blind woman to swim the English Channel – the official finalists’ list highlights the inspirational achievements of the disabled sports community.
“2024 has been an incredibly exciting year for disability sport, especially after ParalympicsGB’s stellar performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games,” said Laurence Guinness, CEO of Variety, the Children’s Charity.
“We’re proud to return with the Variety Disability Sports Awards to recognise the remarkable achievements of disabled athletes and inclusive clubs across the UK.
“While significant progress has been made, with only 25% of disabled children participating in PE at school there is much more to do. At Variety, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to succeed, and grassroots support is fundamental to this.
“These awards not only highlight athletes' accomplishments but also emphasise the importance of making sport accessible and inclusive for all".
The Finalists
Rising Star Award
· Sophie Mernagh, Deaf football
· Georgia Routledge, Para-standing tennis
· Samantha Gough, Blind football, rowing and Goalball
Innovation Award
· British Blind Sport and UK Showdown
· ESP Play
· Every Body Moves
Outstanding Team Achievement Award
· England Deaf Golf Association
· Leeds Rhinos Foundation
· PR2 2x (Gregg Stevenson & Lauren Rowles)
Inspiration Award
· Ruby McDonald BCyA, Multisports
· The Wheelchair Football Association
· George Blackshaw, Golf
· Lloyd Martin, Athlete in Special Olympics
Outstanding Individual Achievement Award
· Stephen Miller, Para Athletics
· Dawn Williams, Tennis
· Melanie Barratt, Swimming
Unsung Hero Award
· Luiz Faye, Adaptive Boxing
· Mark Dewdney, Rowing
To buy a ticket to attend the Variety Disability Sports Awards or to find out more, visit: www.variety.org.uk/event/disability-sports-awards-2024/
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