In SDS we are lucky to work with such inspirational people, many of whom are female. During Women and Girls Week we wanted to put the spotlight on to three of the brilliant ladies we have had the pleasure of working with through the Young Persons Sport Panel over the last 5 years. Hope Gordon, Gemma Lumsdaine and Colette Martin were three of the founding members of the Young Persons Sport Panel when it was formed back in 2015. Their contributions, enthusiasm and experience has been invaluable during that time to the world of disability sport. It has been fantastic to watch Hope, Gemma and Colette develop and gain lots of skill and confidence over the years. We are delighted to still have them involved in the new Young Persons Spot Panel with a slightly different role where they will be helping SDS plan the programme for the new panel and act as peer mentors. SDS asked Hope, Gemma and Colette to answer a few questions below about their experiences in sport.
Hope Gordon
1. Why did you get involved in sport?
I’ve been involved in sport my whole life as I was a very active kid and participated in lots of different after school activities. I developed a disability in 2008 and it was shortly after that where sport became even more important to me.
2. Best memory during your time on the panel?
Our trip to America in 2014 was incredible and it’s from that where the panel started. Since then my highlights have been the wheelchair sports extravaganza and helping at the para sport festivals.
3. Sporting (or other) highlight?
My first year racing in Paracanoe (2019). I qualified for all major events which was more than I was expecting in my first year. 4th at European Championship and World Cup and 5th at World Championships.
4. Have you ever found there were challenges from being a female and involved in sport? If yes how did you overcome these?
I personally haven’t had too many challenges regarding being female in sport. I’m lucky to train with some incredible female athletes who push me everyday. We do however have less events than the guys so it would be nice to see gender equality.
5. What would you say to other girls and women who are thinking about getting involved in sport and why they should?
Just do it! Being female shouldn’t stop you from doing anything, including sport. It’s so much fun and you meet so many great people.
Gemma Lumsdaine
1. Why did you get involved in sport?
I have taken part in lots of different sports throughout my life including horse riding, swimming, wheelchair basketball and now wheelchair rugby. The social, mental, and physical benefits of participating in sport were a big motivation for me getting involved.
2. Best memory during your time on the panel?
I loved helping at the Wheelchair Sports Extravaganza in 2016, it was great seeing so many people enjoying lots of different wheelchair sports.
3. Sporting (or other) highlight?
Difficult question but I think it has to be my first time representing the GB Wheelchair Rugby Talent Squad at a tournament in Germany, it was an amazing experience!
4. Have you ever found there were challenges from being a female and involved in sport? If yes how did you overcome these?
I think I’ve been quite lucky in the fact that I haven’t had too many challenges as a result of my gender. However, I do think many challenges exist for women involved in sport.
5. What would you say to other girls and women who are thinking about getting involved in sport and why they should?
I think I would say, don’t be afraid to try lots of different sports until you find the one you love. Sport is a great way to meet new people, develop your skills and gain confidence so definitely worth giving it a go!
Colette Martin
1. Why did you get involved in sport?
I got involved in sport when I was 9 years old. My parents felt that I should have an outlet and a hobby, because at the time I didn’t leave the house other than to go to school. I was signed up to multiple activities, including music lessons, drama, and sports. Out of the sessions I attended I enjoyed playing sport, as I got older, I got interested in pursuing sport at a competitive level. As my training increased I made the decision to continue my athletics career and train multiple days a week.
2. Best memory during your time on the panel?
I had a lot of amazing times and opportunities due to being on the panel. Prior to the beginning of the panel, and the genesis of the panel, some athletes got the opportunity to travel to America for 2 weeks. I had the best time there, I learned a lot about disability and disability sport in the USA. In 2019, I got asked to present at a sportscotland conference to all of the sports governing bodies about my experiences on the panel and how a panel can be a benefit to the SGB’s. Getting the opportunity to speak in front of many high profile and important people from the world of sport was a highlight for me.
3. Sporting (or other) highlight?
A sporting highlight for me would be getting to race in the London Olympic Stadium as part of a 2012 Tester event and then a couple of weeks later racing at the same venue again, representing Scotland at the UK School Games. Another sporting highlight for me, in basketball, would be competing at BWB Women’s League and getting promoted to the 2nd Division at the end of the league.
4. Have you ever found there were challenges from being a female and involved in sport? If yes how did you overcome these?
I don’t think that I have had many challenges from being a female in sport. I have found that as I was coming up in my athletics junior career, I was able to train and compete at a high standard, as well as, sometimes training and competing alongside the males. Similarly, in basketball I am part of a team that has both males and females and everyone supports each other. I have found that having other females to train and compete alongside has been a major benefit as we all get along great.
5. What would you say to other girls and women who are thinking about getting involved in sport and why they should?
I would say that everyone should try a sport if they are interested in doing so. Sport has given me a lot of amazing opportunities and I wouldn’t be where I am without it. I have found a lot of my friends through participating in sport, and there is a great support system for those involved which have definitely benefitted from. Sport is a great social activity and also is a great way to keep active and healthy in yourself.
Hope, Gemma and Colette are great role models to inspire anyone to get involved in sport and physical activity. A huge thank you to them for their contributions to SDS over the years.