The Accessible Sport for All Award celebrates organisations that are creating opportunities for disabled individuals to participate, compete and thrive in sport. Organised by Variety, the Children’s Charity, the bi-annual awards spotlight athletes and community leaders who are driving disability sport forward and breaking down barriers to participation. The University received the award during a ceremony held on 12 October, in recognition of its long-standing contribution to making sport accessible and inclusive for disabled participants across all levels of sport.
The ceremony saw further success for members of the Loughborough community.
Dr George Torrens, a Senior Lecturer at Loughborough Design School, was part of the Boccia England team that received the Mountpark Award for Innovation, recognising their innovative contributions to disability sport. Dr Torrens led the team that designed the low-cost, sustainable cardboard Boccia Ramp that would go on to be sold through the Boccia England shop. The specially designed ramp was instrumental in supporting Boccia England's engagement strategy, enabling more people to access and participate in the sport.
Also, Thomas Young, a Paralympic sprint champion and Loughborough student, was presented with the prestigious Sports Icon Award for his outstanding achievements in athletics and his impact on disability sport. Young attended the ceremony as a presenter and was unaware that he would be receiving the award himself, making the presentation a notable highlight of the evening.
The Variety Disability Sports Awards not only celebrate the athletes achieving excellence in their chosen sports but also the coaches, volunteers, educators and organisations whose work makes participation possible. The charity supports disabled and disadvantaged children and young people through its life-changing work, providing specialist equipment, accessible transport and vital practical help. Their support enables disabled people across the UK to access opportunities and experiences that help them become more independent, build confidence and create a sense of belonging.
Alisdair Donaldson, Head of Para Sport at Loughborough University, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have won the Accessible Sports for All Award; it is a testament to the work carried out by the staff across Loughborough Sport and the fantastic students that we have.
“Our objective is always to provide every student with the opportunity to engage in sport, from those starting out for the first time, to athletes trying to achieve Paralympic glory. Thanks to the skills of our staff and the dedication of the excellent Para & Disability Sport Exec group, we can improve the opportunities for disabled students who aspire to work in sport.
“It was a pleasure to share the evening with George Torrens, whose work for Boccia England has created a sustainable and cost-effective method of providing ramps to players who need them and prevented cost from being a barrier to participation. It was also amazing to see Thomas Young, one of our current students, recognised as an Icon of British Paralympic sport. As Tokyo Paralympic Champion and 2026 Commonwealth Champion, Thomas keeps delivering lighting fast performances and continues to push for even more. He is a wonderful representative for the University, competing annually in BUCS and the Loughborough International, alongside his international programme.”