Disability Sport Symposium officially launches the No Limits 2026 campaign

On Thursday 27th November, over 100 strategic and delivery partners from across the country gathered at the University of Hertfordshire for an inspiring evening to hear from leading voices in the disability sport & physical activity sector. Hosted and delivered by Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP), in association with partners Activity Alliance and Herts Disability Sports Foundation (HDSF), this flagship event marked the official launch of the No Limits 2026 campaign – Hertfordshire’s Year of Disability Sport & Physical Activity. 

The event aimed to establish the current state of play in the Disability Sport & Physical Activity Sector, create a forum for debate to expose the key barriers that need to be addressed and discuss any potential opportunities or priorities that should be considered to help develop the overall offer in Hertfordshire next year.

Strategic Leads, Adrian Ledbury and Tom Horey kicked off the evening with a rousing opening address highlighting the insight and motivation behind the campaign, its key features and formally launched the Campaign Hub. Attendees then witnessed firsthand the transformative power of what the right support and access to inclusive activities can do, with the premier screening of our first No Limits Ambassador, Alice Biddle’s video story. 

For the focus of the evening, we welcomed an esteemed array of guest speakers to be part of the interactive Partner Panel and audience Q&A: 

• Lyndsey Hollands, Strategic Lead for Disability and Inclusion at British Cycling, leading on the transformative Limitless programme. 

• Adam Blaze, Chief Executive of Activity Alliance, who is driving national change in inclusive sport and physical activity. 

• Ella Beaumont, former GB Wheelchair basketball player, disabled fitness instructor and media influencer, brought valuable lived experience. 

• Dr Chris Brown, Disability Sport Info Podcaster and Senior Lecturer in Sports Development at the University of Hertfordshire finalised our line up and chaired the discussion. 

Ella Beaumont rounded off the evening with a stirring keynote address explaining how simple adaptations, an open mind and the smallest of gestures from the most unlikely individuals can make all the difference to change a person’s path in life. This valuable human element is a key motivation behind the campaign, and part of our commitment to make inclusive practice the norm. 

The event attracted a diverse range of strategic and delivery partners, successfully developed connections, created new ideas, and left participants feeling motivated to make an impact in this sector going into 2026. 

Quote from Panellist: Lyndsey Hollands, Strategic Lead for Disability and Inclusion at British Cycling:

“I really enjoyed myself - the No Limits project is excellent, and I feel really privileged to have been part of the launch, thank you! I made some great contacts, and it was great to hear so much enthusiasm for disability-inclusive sport.” 

Quote from Attendee: Gill Thayne, Senior Development Manager, Saracens Foundation

“There was such a good energy in the room, I just cannot wait for the next year to get started and for us to see the amazing impact that will happen across the year.”  

Quote from Attendee:  Charlotte Menai-Davis, Fundraising & Projects Manager, The Golf Trust  

“My key take away from tonight’s event is the importance of partnership and working together; we are really good as individual organisations, but we can really strengthen what we are doing by linking in more with the local community here in Hertfordshire” 

Quote from Event Organiser & HSP Project Lead: Emma Catlin:

“The diverse experiences of our panel guests created a really healthy, insightful and relatable conversation that left people inspired to get onboard with the campaign. We were really pleased with the attendance, genuine buzz and quality networking that has ensued from the event. Now the real work starts!” 

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No Limits 2026

‘No Limits 2026’ is a year-long campaign that aims to raise the profile of disability sport and physical activity provision across Hertfordshire, in support of the following outcomes: 

• Strengthening and showcasing the existing opportunities and develop new community-based sport and physical activity initiatives for disabled people. 

• Attracting and securing external investment to support disability sport and physical activity across the county. 

• Increasing sector awareness of what makes sessions and venues truly welcoming. 

• Highlighting lived experience by establishing a Disabled Ambassador programme. 

• Developing the workforce so they have the skills and confidence to work effectively with disabled people. 

We want to inspire and empower all key partners and stakeholders in our county to get behind this initiative to make the most meaningful impact and sustainable change. 

So, whether you are a club, community group, participant, coach or volunteer who currently delivers inclusive sport or physical activity provision and wants help to expand your reach; or are new to the sector and are interested in developing your knowledge and are open to establishing new inclusive initiatives within your mainstream offer – get involved now! 

Visit the dedicated Campaign Hub here.

Subcribe to the No Limits Newsletter here.

Feel free to reach out to the team on nolimits2026@herts.ac.uk.