In a significant move towards fostering inclusivity in sports, EY has donated racing wheelchairs for the Guernsey Athletics Club, offering athletes of all abilities a new way to compete and enjoy athletics.
This initiative, aimed at removing barriers to participation, is set to enrich the EY Easter Running Festival and other athletic events throughout the year.
The collaboration between EY and Guernsey Athletics Club (GAC) is a celebration of the shared belief that sports should be accessible to everyone. The racing wheelchairs, now available at Footes Lane and for various races, are hoped to inspire individuals from across the island to engage in the sport, regardless of their previous athletic experience.
Caroline Barby, Active 8 Inclusion Officer in the Sport and Recreation team at the States of Guernsey, has been pivotal in bringing this vision to life. “We are delighted to support Guernsey Athletics in their mission to make sports more inclusive,” she said. “These racing wheelchairs are not just equipment; they are vehicles of change, enabling people to experience the benefits of participating in a sport, as well as the thrill of racing and the camaraderie of competition. As well as EY, thanks also go to Condor Ferries and Breakwells Transport Ltd who assisted by providing free transportation and logistical support to ensure the racing wheelchairs reached the island.”
In tandem with the wheelchair donation, GAC is in the process of establishing wheelchair racing training sessions, which will feature a ‘have a go’ element, encouraging newcomers to the sport. These sessions are a testament to GAC’s commitment to nurturing a supportive environment for all abilities of athletes. The initiative also extends an invitation to experienced individuals who might be interested in helping to develop this new dimension of the sport within the community. GAC is actively seeking volunteers to share their knowledge and passion, contributing to the growth of wheelchair racing on the island.
Chris Gillman, Guernsey Athletics Club’s Endurance Director, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “We are excited about the potential of these training sessions to introduce more people to wheelchair racing. We’re starting with events like the EY Easter Running Festival and the Guernsey Half Marathon, but we see this as just the beginning. We hope to expand our offerings and build a robust wheelchair racing programme.”
The journey to athletic success for Para-athletes is often hampered with financial hurdles. The costs associated with specialised equipment and the resources required to support athletes at every level are considerable, creating barriers that can limit participation and hinder the progression of elite talent. EY’s commitment to inclusivity in sports is part of its broader mission to build a better working world. By supporting initiatives like this, EY is helping to create a society where everyone has the opportunity to participate and be included in the sporting community.
Ove Svejstrup, EY’s Assurance Partner, explained why the initiative is important to EY: “Donating racing wheelchairs to the Guernsey Athletics Club goes beyond sponsorship. It’s about our commitment to inclusivity and the unifying power of sport. Our longstanding support of the EY Easter Running Festival and initiatives like Pride in Sport reflect our deep commitment to enriching our community and embracing every individual’s potential and now more people will have the opportunity to participate.”
Pictured: Left to right – Chris-Gilman, Sophie Veron, Caroline Barby and Ove Svejstrup
