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Talented disabled sports hopefuls among Inspired Athletes in Essex

Twenty-four talented Essex athletes have been named as Inspired Athletes as part of a drive to keep the London 2012 legacy alive in the county.  Active Essex, Essex County Council and Southend on Sea Borough Council have partnered with the Essex Athlete Foundation Charity to announce the names of the athletes. Included in the list are a number of disabled athletes from various sports.

The athletes will act as ambassadors for sport in Essex through the new ‘The Inspired Athletes Award Scheme’ which aims to support new talent across Essex by providing funding towards their training and development.

Gary Sullivan OBE, Chairman of Active Essex, said:

“After the success of Essex County Council’s Team Essex Ambassador Awards, we are delighted to offer funding to our local athletes as part of our ‘Inspired Athletes’ scheme. With the Commonwealth Games just around the corner and the Rio Olympics 2016 in their sights, this scheme will enable them to achieve their ambitions and strive for Olympic Gold.”

Olympic Bronze Medallist Chloe Rogers, who launched the awards scheme, said:

“Funding is vital to enable any athlete to continue their training and, in some cases, is the only thing that allows them to pursue their sporting career. I could not have trained as hard, got through qualifying and competed at London 2012 if it wasn’t for the support of people and schemes like Active Essex’s Inspired Athletes.”

Essex County Councillor Ann Naylor, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Being physically active helps us lead healthier lives and helps us tackle many chronic conditions. Supporting local athletes enables us to establish Essex as a county where we take sports and its health benefits seriously. Essex has traditionally invested in supporting talented athletes through a previous scheme which saw eight of our athletes participate in London 2012 with three bringing home a number of medals.”

Councillor Derek Jarvis, Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism at Southend on Sea Borough Council, said:

“Clearly the London 2012 Olympics has been a major boost for aspiring athletes, not only in Southend but across the county also. It’s vital, therefore, we continue encouraging and supporting those gifted, competitive sportsmen and women who have their eyes firmly set next on year’s Commonwealth Games and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.”

Active Essex (the sport and physical activity partnership for Greater Essex), Essex County Council, Southend on Sea Borough Council and the Essex Athlete Foundation Charity proudly present their stars of the future:

Gold: Elite performers recognised by their national governing bodies (NGB) and/or those athletes that are part of International/National training squads and teams.
 

  • Roberto Pavoni, Swimming, aged 22, Brentwood
  • Fiona Pennie, Canoe Saloom, aged 30, Epping
  • Richard Chiassaro, Wheelchair Racing, aged 31, Harlow
  • Crystal Lane, Para Cycling, aged 28, Chelmsford
  • Hannah Stodel, Para Sailing, aged 28, Colchester
  • Adam Hickey, Athletics, aged 25, Southend


Silver: National performers recognised by their NGB and/or those who are included within National training/competitive squads.

  • Brinn Beyan, Gymnastics, aged 16, Colchester
  • Joshua Newman, Trampoline, aged 14, Basildon
  • Millie Belbin, para athletics, aged 13, Tendring
  • Matthew Hamilton, Cycling, aged 16, Castle Point
  • Oliver Swallow, Triathlon, aged 15, Braintree
  • James Hollis, Para Swimming, aged 19, Epping


Bronze: Regional performers, also member of County squads if relevant, recognised by their NGB and or those who are included within Regional and County training/competitive squads.

  • Sebastian Pallier, Fencing, aged 13, Basildon
  • Robbie Clarricoats, Athletics, Hurdles, aged 17, Basildon
  • Alice Green, Squash, aged 12, Basildon
  • Lana Redgewell, BMX Racing, 17, Braintree
  • Shane Redgewell, BMX Racing, aged 14, Braintree
  • Lucy Terkelsen, Sailing, aged 15, Maldon
  • Charlotte Newbold, Judo, aged 15, Southend
  • Michael Shields Athletics, Hurdles, aged 14,  Southend
  • Liam Yarwood, Athletics – Pole Vault, aged 18, Southend
  • Scott Cleaver, Swimming, aged 22, Castle Point
  • Alex Body, Archery, aged 14, Castle Point
  • Lewis Richardson, Boxing,  aged 16, Colchester

In July, EFDS announced our focus County Sports Partnerships (CSPs). Our dedicated Engagement Officers will work with the chosen nine across England so they can receive more concentrated support to increase disabled people’s participation at a local level. Active Essex was one of those chosen CSPs and Jon Whittingham is the Engagement Officer supporting their work.

Find out more about Active Essex and their work to increase disabled people in sport at a local level.