Competing in the men’s class 7 singles and men’s class 6-7 team, Will also has world and European titles to his name. In December 2016 he was awarded the Bill McGowran Trophy for outstanding achievement in Paralympic sport by a male athlete by the Sports Journalists Association and he received an MBE in the New Year Honours List. More recently he was named World Male Para Player of the Year for 2023.

Why Will represents the BEAA

“I’m a BEAA Ambassador because I have a lot of experience, I’ve been to five Paralympic Games, coming up to my fifth Games now. I know how demanding, how hard it is to be an elite athlete, so any support I can give I’d definitely love to.”

She was the first black female swimmer to represent Great Britain at an Olympics, and is passionate about using her profile and achievements to inspire others into the sport, co-founding the Black Swimming Association. In 2023 she was named on the BBC Woman's Hour Power List for game-changing contribution to women’s sport.

Why Alice represents the BEAA

“I am a BEAA Ambassador as I want to see elite athletes in Britain achieve their full potential both on the field of performance and outside of it.”

She claimed bronze in Pyeongchang alongside Lizzy Yarnold, becoming the first British winter Olympians to finish on the same podium, and the first Welsh woman to win a winter Olympic medal. In 2023 Laura won silver in the World Championships and is also a member of UKAD’s Athlete Commission.

Why Laura represents the BEAA

"I’m passionate about the work the BEAA do in supporting the UK’s incredible athletes. They are a brilliant source of confidential and impartial advice and support, and are always there whenever athletes need it."

He also has a host of world and European championship medals to his name, retaining his world title in 2023 to become the first male pentathlete to win consecutive golds at that level since 1998. He has represented Great Britain at three Olympic Games: 2016, 2020 and 2024.

Why Joe represents the BEAA

“I became an ambassador for the BEAA after they helped me with my own sporting journey, from providing some low-key, friendly advice to reminding me of my athlete rights and what I can expect as a competitive athlete, all the way through to providing legal advice should I have wanted to take issues that far. Now I help try to raise awareness of the BEAA and give similar opportunities to other athletes who might be experiencing difficulties or uncertainties in their careers.”

She is a nine-time Paralympic champion, multiple world record holder and added a Commonwealth title to her collection at Birmingham 2022. She was shortlisted for Sports Personality of the Year in 2013, the same year she received an MBE, and was awarded an OBE in 2022. She won her 14^th world title in the 2023 Para Athletics World Championships.

Why Hannah represents the BEAA

“In the past I have had to reach out to the BEAA for support. At the time it was a really difficult thing to do but I want other athletes to know what support is available and how they can access it. I also want them to be confident in reaching out to the BEAA and know that it is totally confidential and that they will help in whatever ways they can. They helped me massively.”

Michael is a Jamaican-British swimmer best known for participating in the 200m butterfly. He has worked extensively to raise awareness of ethnic and sexual diversity within sport and beyond, winning a Pride Award in 2019 and being nominated for both British LGBTQ+ Sports Personality of the Year and the Rainbow Honours Award for Celebrity LGBTQI Champion of the Year in 2023.

His role comprises strengthening the BEAA’s existing ED&I work, and furthering our ability to engage and support athletes of all backgrounds.

Why Michael represents the BEAA

“I’m so passionate about ED&I and making people feel valued and mattered, especially in sport. We have an opportunity with the BEAA to put athletes at the top; I want to be part of that progression and to be at the root of it where I can help.

“To have representation, to look at somebody and see amazing sportsmen and women talking about their sport, handing down their knowledge, would have meant so much to me [growing up]. It’s something I didn’t really have. I’m excited to be that for someone else.”

Robyn is a triple Paralympian wheelchair basketball player who is part of the Board of Directors for Basketball Scotland. As captain of the GB wheelchair basketball team, she and partner Laurie Williams are prominent figures in the LGBTQ+ athlete community, and Robyn has worked with Athlete Ally, Pride in Tennis and Pride House Birmingham among others.

As our LGBTQ+ Ambassador, she works to engage the LGBTQ+ athlete community and represent the BEAA in this space publicly.

Why Robyn represents the BEAA

“The BEAA is really that support system. We’re there to advocate, support and ultimately represent athletes. The BEAA play such an important role in athlete wellbeing and welfare, and LGBT athletes having that specific role I really do think will help us to reach people who’ve maybe not reached out before.

“I’ve got a child and it’s important for me that they grow up in a world where they can be themselves. If I can have an impact on that in any small way, to be a role model to them as well as to our sporting community, I hope they’d be proud of that.”

Nekoda made her Olympic debut in 2016 but, having sustained a concussion in November 2019, withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics having qualified. She returned to the sport in 2022 following the birth of her first child and now raises awareness of the dangers of concussion, mental health, and being an elite athlete mother.

Why Nekoda represents the BEAA

‍“I am a BEAA Ambassador because there have been times in my career where I have felt that I needed support outside of the governing body. The BEAA is a cushion to fall back on and is someone you know will be there to listen to your voice. They have supported me in the past and I know they will support me in the future if I need it. The BEAA is really important and it’s important for athletes to know about.”