When Ian Brown enrolled on the Sport England-backed Athletes as Advocates course, he didn’t imagine that in the future he would be playing a leading role in the development of disabled people as volunteer sports workers.

Ian, who is now special projects co-ordinator for the Lincolnshire Federation for Disability Sport, takes up the story.

“I wanted to get a level two basketball coaching qualification. Athletes for Advocates funded my coaching but part of the deal was that I was to work for them as a volunteer coach using my new skills.”

“From there, I was helping out the Lincolnshire Federation for Disability Sport when they offered me my post. Now I have helped other people join the Athletes as Advocates scheme and am working on a number of new projects. I didn’t think I could get a career in sport but I’ve now achieved it.”

Away from work, Ian is the chairman and head coach of the Jaguars Wheelchair Basketball Club based in Newark.

He added: “ We have two teams, one of which is in the first division, and is open to both disabled and able-bodied athletes.”

Ian’s experience shows that it is crucial to support people to get involved in volunteering, and develop their skills, so they can encourage their peers to play too.

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