Scottish Disability Sport were extremely lucky to have a catch up with current Great Britain and Loughborough Lightning wheelchair basketball star, Robyn Love, who made time in her busy training calendar to speak to us.
Love has had a successful career representing Great Britain at the Paralympics, Scotland at the Commonwealth Games whilst also being recently included in the All-Stars team for the first time.
She became aware of Para sports through the 2012 London Paralympics, the first time she, “had ever seen Disability sports”. This serves to highlight the importance of role models and sporting heroes with a disability being visible to young participant in Scotland. Through para sports, Robyn met Tina Gordon who helped her considerably, providing Robyn with her first wheelchair, supporting and training with her, Robyn appreciates everything that Tina has done for her explaining that Tina was a massive influence “propelling me forward for success after success and ten years of fun and adventures”.
When asked whether she feels a responsibility to be a role model in the game due to her own positive experience and the effect this has had on her career, she replied – “absolutely I feel a responsibility, I’m always after more, I want more people playing and watching wheelchair basketball, I’m also extremely passionate to get more women into the sport”. This is something she admits is improving with better access and infrastructure to the women’s game with the creation of the English Premier League. She feels a duty to continue to grow the game. This is one of the reasons that she has taken to social media and specifically TikTok alongside starting her own coaching practice “Love Handles”.
Robyn is also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. This is something that Robyn is passionate about alongside being a role model for other members and athletes. Robyn is aware and appreciative of her own situation – “in a family where I can be my true authentic self and everybody is loving and accepting of that” however, Robyn also commented – “I am lu4cky to be in this position as many people are not in that same place, where they can be comfortable and confident being themselves” This is something that is very important to Robyn, living her best life; representing her family and friends and inspiring anyone out there to be their true authentic selves.
Robyn has recently taken up the position of LGBTQ+ ambassador, with the British Elite Athlete association (BEAA). Through this opportunity Robyn is excited to help create an ally scheme which aims to provide educational opportunities, to not only players and athletes but to teammates and staff members. Robyn enjoys promoting the importance of an environment where “players and staff feel comfortable and confident to go out and be themselves” Robyn wants to “help players not have voices in their heads, by not listening to these individuals players will be able to perform better”. Robyn is relishing this great opportunity and feels that this work is making a difference, helping people to be comfortable in themselves as “at the end of the day our playing careers stop, but we don’t stop being people”.
Robyn feels that “she has had nothing but acceptance within her field”, which she appreciates is partly due to it being a female sport however, she also acknowledges that there is more acceptance in general with there being fantastic role models “coming out” in mainstream sports such as football. Robyn urges more sports to create an inclusive environment.
Over the last couple of years Robyn and her partner have become parents to their baby Alba. Being a parent has helped Robyn whilst playing, bringing a sense of clarity and perspective. Before Alba, Robyn compared herself to a Ted Lasso character with basketball being life. This is something that Robyn is grateful for and believes has changed her outlook on not only basketball but also life. Recently Alba joined the British team at the European Championships, staying in her parents’ room, joining team meetings, and providing a unique form of heckling on the court. The British team took home silver in this competition.
Robyn looks forward to continuing as a role model for the sport and the LGBTQ+ community throughout the season, starting this weekend with Cardiff away. Furthermore, Robyn is keen to keep developing her game to ensure that she is at the Paralympics this summer in Paris. Scottish Disability Sport wishes her every success in the next stage of her exciting adventure.
Watch the full interview on Scottish Disability Sport’s YouTube channel here: