New alliance could be 'transformational' for women's sport
A new alliance of world-leading sports scientists could be "transformational" for women's sport, according to one of Britain's most successful Paralympians Emma Wiggs.The Global Alliance for Female Athletes (GAFA) will see leading representatives from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand join forces to share best practice resources and make their research freely available all in one place.The aim is to educate and empower female athletes, and address the gender gap that exists in sports science research, something three-times Paralympic champion Wiggs believes has held women back."When I stared my career everything that was being prescribed to us as female athletes was based off male research," says the 44-year-old. "This alliance will be transformational. It'll be a real turning point for female athletes across the globe to have a trusted, relevant resource to go to that isn't just something you see on social media."The initiative has been driven by Dr Richard Burden, female health and performance lead at the UK Sports Institute. "We just don't understand enough about many of the challenges that female athletes face," he said."For example 'how does the menstrual cycle influence performance?' Because no one has a good grasp of that, there is no competitive advantage to protect."That could change in the future [but right now] it's not really a conversation, which underlines just how far behind research into female athlete health is compared to male athletes."The intent is to be able to provide for female athletes around the world who don't necessarily have access to the same sort of resources that athletes in the UK do. "We intend to breakdown economic barriers, language barriers and cater for different impairments. If we're successful we'll get engagement from all corners of the globe."To help close the gap, future research projects will be carried out collaboratively rather than in silos.Dr Rachel Harris from the Australian Institute of Sport believes the alliance will lead to even greater results on the world stage:"The gap in knowledge, coupled with wide-spread misinformation, means athletes often miss the early warning signs and go undiagnosed or are inadequately treated for conditions like endometriosis," she said."Athletes are then forced to miss training days which reduces their chances of making competition or in some cases sees them leave the sport altogether. Our goal is to change this."
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The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Gordon Reid on more grand slams and Wimbledon's centre court
Despite the toll globetrotting for the entirety of his adult life has taken, and the dimming of his motivation that could so easily have come when his grand slam title count reached the high twenties, Reid asserts he's as driven as he's ever been, possibly even more-so. At the age of 33, and having established himself as one of the most decorated tennis players in the history of the game, the Glaswegian is showing no signs of slowing down and Reid goes into the French Open wheelchair tournament, which begins at Roland Garros today, with little doubt as to his goals. 'I've always been someone who goes into every tournament looking to win the singles and the doubles. I feel like if I'm not going there to try and win then what's the point in being there at all?,' he says 'So winning the tournament is always the target, this week and every other week.' It's unsurprising that Reid has reached a point in his career at which anything less than victory feels like failure. Having contracted a rare neurological condition called transverse myelitis at the age of 12, which left him paralysed from the waist down, Reid tried his hand at wheelchair tennis. The success he's achieved since first his first taste of the sport at Scotstoun Leisure Centre in Glasgow has been nothing short of astonishing. His maiden major title came in doubles in 2015, at the French Open, with that victory opening the floodgates. Two grand slam singles titles, as well as Paralympic gold, all in 2016, are impressive in themselves but it's in doubles that Reid has become something of a legend of wheelchair tennis. To date, he has claimed 26 grand slam doubles titles, 22 of which have been alongside Englishman Alfie Hewett, as well as Paralympic doubles gold, which they won last summer to complete the 'Golden Grand Slam'. The duo's dominance - they've won 17 of the last 20 grand slam doubles events, including the Australian Open earlier this year - has, unsurprisingly, given the pair an aura of invincibility but such a record also brings with it considerable pressure. As Reid prepares to begin his French Open campaign at Roland Garros today, he acknowledges the pressure upon his shoulders but his experience, as well as a naturally laid-back personality, ensures he is confident he will be unaffected by the target on his back, particularly when he teams up with Hewett. 'I'm feeling good - I'm just off the back of a couple of tournaments in Europe on the clay and I feel like I've been playing well so I'm feeling positive heading into Paris,' he says. 'From a doubles perspective, we're big favourites to win the title and I guess that puts pressure on us but we have to look at that as a good thing because it's as a result of doing well that people expect us to win. If nobody expects you to win then yes, you might feel a bit more freedom, but it also means you don't have the confidence that we have. 'And anyway, there's no one who puts more pressure on us than ourselves.' Gordon Reid (R) won his 28th grand slam title in Australia earlier this year, alongside Alfie Hewett (L) (Image: Getty Images) As Reid prepares to turn 34 later this year, he knows he's nearer to the end of his career than the beginning. But having relocated from his home city of Glasgow to the National Tennis Centre in London a year ago, Reid believes the move has both helped his game, and has been a major factor in ensuring he remains as driven as ever as he targets 30 grand slam titles and beyond. And despite having reached the very top of his sport - he's been world number one in both singles and doubles - he's confident he can still improve as a player before he hangs up his racquet. 'Moving to London was a big change but I wanted a fresh start,' he says. 'However many years of my career I have left, I want to give it absolutely everything. I definitely have felt re-energised sine moving to London and that's helped with my motivation, which I'd say is higher than ever at the moment. 'I still love playing tennis and being able to do this as a job is amazing. The competition side of it, and all the emotions you get when you compete, is great. I know when athletes retire that's often what they say they miss the most so I'm just trying to enjoy that for as long as I have left.' Reid's primary target is, of course, this week's French Open but it's a quick turnaround from the clay of Roland Garros onto the grass of Wimbledon later this month. It is, in large part, the platform the All England Tennis Club has given wheelchair tennis that's helped grow its profile quite considerably in recent years and Reid is eternally grateful for the opportunity he and his peers have been given to showcase their sport. There is, however, one remaining goal that Reid would love to achieve before he hangs up his racquet and he's surely edging closer to fulfilling it. 'This week, my focus is entirely on the French but grass is my favourite time of year so I'm looking forward to getting to Wimbledon,' he says. 'The Grand Slams have played a huge part in raising the profile of wheelchair tennis because of the exposure they've given us, and especially at Wimbledon. 'Jamie Baker (Wimbledon tournament director) has played a massive role in helping wheelchair tennis grow in this country. He's seen that we can add value to the event and the scenes on Court One during some of my matches over the last few years have been amazing. 'Giving us a platform is good for the players, it's good for the spectators, it's good for the tournament and it's good for the sport and it shows that we do bring entertainment and value to these events and it's not a charity thing. 'It's an incredible atmosphere at Wimbledon and so it's always a tournament I look forward to. 'I'm still holding my breath for the opportunity to play on Centre Court, though - hopefully before I end my career, I'll have that chance.'
Glasgow Times
30-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Local clubs need to adapt to encourage disability sports
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South Wales Argus
28-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Local clubs need to adapt to encourage disability sports
Being a wheelchair user, I have often been told that there is no space for me in certain aspects of life. I grew up on the ice rink as an ice dancer, followed by a performer on the big stage, but when I swapped my legs for my wheels, my whole world changed, and I found myself having to leave that life behind. Trying to get involved in something where I felt I 'fitted' never worked, especially when I was in a powerchair. Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock plays football with people with disabilities taking part in the launch event of Every Body Moves campaign in March 2023. ( Sam Mellish) (Image: Sam Mellish) There are many disabilities out there that are catered for in the sporting world. Still, every time I looked, I had the opinion that as I wasn't a manual wheelchair user, I had no upper body strength, lower body strength, or middle body strength, for that matter, I wouldn't be catered for. Until last year. While watching people train, I was approached and asked: 'Do you want to have a go?' I think I looked at people as if they had two heads. Since my wheels, I had never been asked to participate in a sport. This is one reason ParalympicsGB started the 'Everybody Moves' campaign: so people could find a sport and get involved, no matter their ability. No matter where I went, I was surprised by the accessibility to sports. British Rowing, something I never thought would be accessible, explained how they adapt the boats to the individual's needs. I have since received emails inviting me to their trial days. Being afraid of water, I think I'll sit this one out, though! Sport isn't for everyone, and that is fine. These days, I am a more behind-the-computer-screen type of girl, but attending events and seeing people get involved in different sports they never thought possible was touching. WheelPower holds trial days to allow people to try new, adaptable, and inclusive sports. Being asked to cover their events, including their upcoming Junior Games, is a privilege, as you see people through their journeys. Finding a sport adapted to your disability can be even more challenging when you don't know where to start. Recommended Reading Adaptive sports are evolving. I recently discovered that a skating rink near me has a session once a week for people with disabilities, which allows manual wheelchairs onto the ice. With the help of my PA, after 20 years next month, I will finally get back on the ice, and that is a feeling I cannot comprehend at the moment. But more local clubs need to be adaptable, especially for children. However, most teachers are unaware of how to make these changes, so it can come down to individuals to show the clubs what can be done to make them more inclusive. Starting a sport for someone with a disability can seem like a minefield. A year ago, I wouldn't have known where to look. However, there are clubs out there. It is about researching, talking, and those who are not adaptable, trying to teach them, and all of us working together.
