8 May 2018

Paralympian Helene Raynsford elected new Chair of Athletes’ Commission

The British Paralympic Association (BPA) Athletes’ Commission has elected Beijing 2008 gold medallist Helene Raynsford as its new Chair.

Raynsford has been part of the Athletes’ Commission since 2013 and will replace David Clarke who stood down after becoming a BPA Board member.

Raynsford was part of the ParalympicsGB team at Beijing 2008 where she claimed rowing gold in the ASW1x classification.

The BPA’s Athletes’ Commission comprises ten Paralympians and seeks to represent a balance of summer and winter sport, male and female athletes and a range of impairments.

It plays a crucial role in ensuring the athletes’ views are represented to the BPA board, Executive Team and Games Planning Group where it provides crucial insight to help inform ParalympicsGB planning for Summer and Winter Games.

Looking ahead to Tokyo

The Commission welcomed five new members in March 2018 and Raynsford will chair the group through to Tokyo 2020.

“I am honoured to have been elected as Chair of the Athletes’ Commission,” said Raynsford . “I am really looking forward to building upon the foundations laid by the commission since its inception after London 2012.

“We have a strong group of athletes in the Commission, some who have only recently joined but who are already showing great passion towards our work.

“There is a lot for us to do with increasing engagement with ParalympicsGB athletes being one of our priorities and we look forward to championing the wider athlete voice within the work of the British Paralympic Association.”

The BPA’s Athletes’ Commission:

Helene Raynsford (rowing)

Ben Quilter (judo)

Stef Reid MBE (athletics)

Claire Cashmore MBE (Para triathlon)

Sophie Christiansen CBE (equestrian)

Grace Clough MBE (rowing)

Charlotte Henshaw (Para canoe)

Ali Jawad (powerlifting)

Sean Rose (Para alpine skiing)

Lora Fachie MBE (Para cycling)

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