Here’s a refreshing take on an awards evening that wasn’t just your average ceremony. Picture this: a sparkling night in London, with the glitz and the glam but with a twist—it was all about celebrating heroes who turn challenges into championship moments.
Hosted by the warm-hearted folks at Variety, the Children’s Charity, the Variety Disability Sports Awards unfolded at the @sohoplace Theatre, right in the heart of the city.
What made this event stand out wasn’t just the elegance of the venue or the fame of the attendees, but the profound spirit of the sportspeople it honoured.
From budding stars to seasoned pros, the awards recognised the unparalleled achievements of athletes with disabilities.
As the night carried on, we didn’t just see trophies handed out; we saw a phenomenal cause—Variety’s Voices for Change. This isn’t just another campaign; it’s a robust advocacy effort that seeks to voice and address the hurdles that disabled and disadvantaged kids face in accessing sports.
The stage saw none other than Adam Hills, decked out not just in his suit but with his remarkable charm, steering the night as our master of ceremonies. Alongside him, stars like Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson shone brightly, their accolades echoing the room’s applause.
And, oh, the awards! Let’s chat about those for a moment. They weren’t your run-of-the-mill medals and plaques but acknowledgements of courage and relentless pursuit of excellence:
Georgia Routledge snagged the ECB Award for Rising Star for her stellar play in para-standing tennis—mark her words, she’s just getting started.
The Yoo Capital Award for Innovation went to Every Body Moves, a project by Toyota, turning heads with its innovative platform that champions inclusivity in sports.
Over in the team category, the PR2 2x duo, Gregg Stevenson and Lauren Rowles, rowed their way to the Access Card Award for Outstanding Team Achievement with their Paralympic gold.
Young Lloyd Martin sprinted past mere records to clinch the Dreams Award for Inspiration, becoming a symbol of youthful ambition and determination.
Not to be overshadowed, Stephen Miller, a titan in the arena with a cabinet full of medals, was honoured for his illustrious career with the Glaukos Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement.
@sustainhealth Winners Announced For Variety Disability Sports Awards 2024 #VarietyDisabilitySportsAwards #SportsAwards ♬ original sound – Sustain Health Magazine
The night also paid tribute to a lifetime devotion to sports, with Dame Sarah Storey and Sophie Christiansen being honoured not just for their sporting prowess but for inspiring generations.
As the evening wrapped up, it wasn’t just about who took home the biggest trophy, but about pushing forward a movement. Laurence Guinness, the charismatic CEO of Variety, captured the sentiment perfectly, reminding us of the strides we’ve made in diversity and inclusion in sports and the miles we still have to cover.
“Last night’s Variety Disability Sports Awards was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of disabled sportspeople across the UK – including those at a grassroots level through to those on the biggest stage of all, the Paralympics – and it was an incredibly inspiring evening.
“We have made some important steps forward when it comes to making UK sport more diverse and inclusive, but there is no doubt we have a long way to go.
Variety’s Voices for Change campaign spotlights the challenges faced by disabled and disadvantaged children who want to participate in sports, which must change.
The launch of this campaign, off the back of another successful Variety Disability Sports Awards, will help to amplify disabled and disadvantaged children’s voices and experiences, advocating for increased funding and access to sport in the UK.
“A huge congratulations to all our incredible nominees and winners. You really are extraordinary, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”
In essence, the Variety Disability Sports Awards was more than an awards night; it was a beacon of inspiration, a call to arms for advocates of change, and a celebration of the human spirit that thrives in every challenge.
Variety’s ‘Voices for Change’ campaign is grassroots advocacy campaign aimed at breaking down barriers that prevent disabled children from low-income families from accessing sports and physical activities.
Dive deeper into this story and how you can be a part of the change at www.variety.org.uk/how-can-we-help/voices-for-change/.