Variety, the Children’s Charity has announced the shortlist for the Variety Disability Sports Awards 2026, celebrating an extraordinary group of athletes, organisations and individuals driving disability sport forward. As the UK’s leading bi-annual celebration of grassroots disability sport, the awards will unite trailblazers from across the world of sport for a landmark celebration of achievement, innovation and inclusion.
From grassroots pioneers and community leaders to elite competitors, with nominees ranging in age from 13 upwards, the awards recognise those making an impact both on and off the field and creating more opportunities for disabled people to participate and thrive. Funds raised through the Variety Disability Sports Awards 2026 will support life-changing work with disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK, providing specialist equipment, accessible transport and vital practical support. – nominees across all ages from 13 upwards
CEO of Variety, the Children’s Charity, Laurence Guinness, comments, Every child deserves the chance to play, compete and belong. The Variety Disability Sports Awards are about opening the doors to sport for disabled children and young people who too often find them closed through lack of resources or support, and about shining a light on the coaches, clubs and young athletes doing extraordinary things at grassroots level, far from the spotlight. Our awards say to every one of them, you are seen, you matter, and this is your moment.
Among this year’s nominees are some of the most recognised and inspiring names in disability sport, including celebrated Paralympic athlete Richard Whitehead MBE, who is nominated in both the Inspiration Award and Outstanding Individual Achievement Award. He is joined by Tully Kearney OBE, Michele Weltman MBE of London Marathon Events, organisations including Loughborough University and Boccia England, and England Women’s Blind Football Team.
THE 2026 SHORTLIST
RISING STAR AWARD
Mel Woods – for their achievements in para-athletics
Rosie Williams – for their achievements in gymnastics
Macey Hand – for their achievements in athletics
Samantha Gough MBE– for their achievements across rowing and blind football
Maddie Down – for their achievements in athletics
INNOVATION AWARD
Picture News, represented by Katie Harrison – for their innovative work in disability sport
The Commonwealth Sport – for their innovative approach to integrating Para Sport at Glasgow 2026 and using sport as a vehicle for disability inclusion
Boccia England – for their innovative work widening access to disability sport
OUTSTANDING TEAM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
ParaCheer GB – for their achievements in ParaCheer
England Women’s Blind Football Team – for their achievements in blind football
Humber Sharks – for their achievements in swimming
Team GB Junior Wheelchair Boys Team – for their achievements in wheelchair tennis
INSPIRATION AWARD
Richard Whitehead MBE – for his achievements in athletics
Scott Rogers – for his achievements in amputee football
Craig Wood – for his achievements in sailing
Tully Kearney OBE – for her achievements in running
Roy Turnham – for his achievements across multiple sports
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Nick Thomas – for his achievements in archery with British Blind Sport
Matthew Knoesen – for his achievements in tennis
Richard Whitehead MBE – for his achievements in athletics
ACTIVE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOL AWARD
Foxfields Academy – for its commitment to active and inclusive sport
Langrish Primary – for its commitment to active and inclusive sport
St Christopher’s School – for its commitment to active and inclusive sport
ACCESSIBLE SPORT FOR ALL AWARD
Loughborough University – for its contribution to making sport accessible for all
London Marathon Events – Michelle Weltman MBE – for her contribution to making sport more accessible and inclusive
Wheels for All – for its work creating accessible opportunities in cycling
Super Hero Triathlon – Sophia Warner – for its work creating inclusive opportunities in triathlon
UNSUNG HERO AWARD
Katy McIntosh – Proactive Prosthetics – for her contribution to paracanoe
Peter Wyman – for his contribution across power hockey, power football and wheelchair racing
Matt Brinkley – for his contribution across multiple sports
Sheraz Chohan – for his contribution across cricket, baseball, goalball, showdown and bowling
Margarita Sweeny-Baird – for her contribution to ice skating
Rick Rogers –for his contribution to ParaCheer
Variety, the Children’s Charity has also confirmed the judging panel for the 2026 awards, chaired by Paralympic bronze and silver medallist Stefanie Reid MBE. The panel includes Dr Kush Kanodia and Alice Evans from the ParalympicsGB Lived Experience Advisory Board, Matt Elkington from the Lawn Tennis Association’s Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Disability team, Nick Goldup, Chief Executive of Wheelchair Alliance, Andrew Douglas, Founder and Chief Executive of Innovision and Parallel Lifestyle and Games, and Alison Oliver, Chief Executive of Youth Sport Trust.
