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Paralympian Martine Wright to join CSP Network Board

Paralympic sitting volleyball star Martine Wright has been appointed to join the County Sports Partnership Network (CSP Network) Board, where she will serve as an independent member.

 The athlete almost died in the 7/7 bombings in 2005 after the infamous terrorist attacks on the London Underground saw her lose both of her legs. But in a tremendous display of triumph over adversity, Martine showed the skill, talent and determination to represent Britain in sitting volleyball at the London 2012 Paralympics.

The remarkable feat saw the 40-year-old Londoner presented with the prestigious Helen Rollason Award at the glittering 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony. At the ceremony, she received a standing ovation as she spoke emotionally about her long-term ambition to inspire the nation.

Martine will take up her position on the CSP Network Board this autumn, where she will help provide strategic leadership of the CSPs across the country. CSP Network's Chief Executive Lee Mason said:

"We are delight that Martine has accepted our invitation to join the CSP Network Board. We feel that with Martine’s wide skill set and strong marketing background, she will be able to provide a different viewpoint and give valuable advice for us. Disability sport is also something that is very important to us and from that point of view; it is fantastic to have Martine given her standing as an elite Paralympic athlete. We delighted to have her with us.”

The CSP Network Board is chaired by Richard Saunders and includes nine directors, who are appointed from each region in England.

As well as being an opening quotation in our EFDS strategy released this year, Martine was also an ambassador for EFDS's Typhoo Sports for All programme, which trained coaches to be more inclusive in their work. At the time she commented:

“I am so privileged to be involved in such a fantastic campaign as sport is important in all our lives whether we are disabled or not. I have seen sport from both sides; before I was disabled it gave me many positive qualities but now that I am disabled, sport has given me so much more. Sport can play a huge role in the life of someone disabled building your confidence, allowing you to meet like minded people but most of all it gives you a goal again, allowing you to do something that you love. Everybody should be able to get involved in the sport of their choice."

Martine is set to bring significant experience to the CSP Network Board as she gained a degree in Psychology and Communication Studies from the University of East London in 1996 and is currently one of the leading speakers on the London 2012 Games.

In one of her most recent engagements, she supported Mayor of London Boris Johnson at a special Games legacy press conference at City Hall that also featured Britain’s Minister for Sport and Tourism Hugh Robertson, former London 2012 chief executive and current commercial secretary to the Treasury Lord Paul Deighton and Olympic rowing champion Anna Watkins.

EFDS has worked with CSP Network on various initiatives to increase opportunities at a local level. This includes the recent successful Playground to Podium programme, which was delivered across England in various sports. The successes included finding potential Paralympians, as well as developing many ongoing partnerships for young disabled people.

Disabled people’s first experience of sport can often be through local opportunities. This local provision helps disabled people to have a wide choice of activities so they can try out and enjoy sport, as well as develop their talent if they decide.

In February 2013, to sustain and build local relationships, EFDS successfully appointed three Engagement Officers. Part of their busy role is to work with CSPs, so they too can learn the better practices to include more disabled people. The aim is to help them to improve their services and deliver specific NGB disability programmes.

In July 2013, EFDS was pleased to announce the nine focus County Sports Partnerships (CSPs). EFDS’s dedicated Engagement Officers will work with the chosen nine in England so they can receive more concentrated support to increase disabled people’s participation at a local level. Other non-focus CSPs will continue to receive ongoing support and guidance from the Engagement Team through regional forums, bespoke project work and communication.

The Engagement officers will be able to support CSPS to achieve the following outcomes:

  • Participation – More disabled people trying sport, leading to regular participation
  • Local insight and intelligence - Understanding the needs of the market
  • Improved communication and market reach – Connecting with disabled people
  • Improved co-ordination - Connecting and organising effective planning and delivery of provision
  • Better advice and guidance - Providing technical expertise on disabled people in sport
  • Increased advocacy of sport for disabled people - Making the case for disabled people's participation in sport
  • Workforce development - Building capacity in the workforce
  • Funding and investment - Increasing financial resources

To book Martine Wright as a speaker for an event, please email helen@inspiredexchange.co.uk

To find out more about the CSP Network, visit their website