FIONA REID ANNOUNCED AS NEW CEO FOR DISABILITY SPORT WALES

FIONA REID ANNOUNCED AS NEW CEO FOR DISABILITY SPORT WALES

Disability Sport Wales has announced the appointment of Fiona Reid as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Reid from Connahs Quay will take up her post from the 1st July 2017.
Fiona started working for Disability Sport Wales in 2007 as Education and Training Consultant, her early contributions focussing on the development of disability sport training courses to further develop equity and diversity across the sports sector. Over time her role has evolved becoming Education and Training Manager in 2009 before taking on the position of Innovation Manager in 2012 enabling her to focus on the development and implementation of DSW strategy and policy.

Prior to joining DSW Fiona had already established a long-standing and committed relationship with disability sport within a voluntary capacity. Apart from her work to establish inclusive delivery models for the sport of badminton, Fiona was also appointed as assistant coach to the Welsh Squad at the European Para-Badminton Championships in 2006. In 2007 Fiona was appointed as coach to the Special Olympics GB Badminton squad, competing at the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai 2007, whilst in 2009 she was appointed in the dual role of Technical Delegate and Head Welsh Coach at the National Special Olympics Games in Leicester.

Announcing the appointment, Chair of Disability Sport Wales, Pippa Britton, said:
“I am delighted to be welcoming Fiona as our new CEO. We are thrilled that someone with her great experience and strong values will be helping us achieve our strategic plan of transforming lives through the power of sport. Her passion and enthusiasm for disability sport and inclusion will help us build on the strong foundations that have been laid over the last 15 years. We are really excited that Fiona will lead us on the next steps of our journey enabling all people, regardless of circumstances, to not only excel at sport, but also enjoy physical recreation.”
DSW is the lead national agency for the development of disability and f inclusive sport and physical activity in Wales. It’s vision for a more inclusive sporting landscape has led to the provision of more than 1.5 million participation opportunities or disabled people in 2016, with over 22,000 members of sports clubs now regularly taking part in community activity.

On the world stage, Wales continues to punch above its weight in Paralympic and disability sport and can be proud of the achievements of its medallists at the Rio Paralympic Games and the Special Olympics World Games. Wales will be hoping that this golden run of success can continue at the Deaflympics taking place in Turkey in 2017, and the Commonwealth Games on Gold Coast in April 2018.

The former Senior Lecturer at Glyndwr and Chester Universities and currently Innovation Manager at Disability Sport Wales, Reid said:
“Becoming the CEO for Disability Sport Wales is a real honour for me, and I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to work in this capacity, with such a dedicated and ambitious team, over the next stage of the sector’s shared journey as we continue to transform lives through the power of sport”.

“Over the past 15 years, DSW have benefited from an exceptional leader, a strong team, and great programmes – we are in a really strong position – so it is going to be incredibly exciting to continue to grow, strengthen and extend active recreation and physical activity (including sport) within a rapidly changing Welsh Landscape”.
For more information please contact Laura Jenkins or Lucy Thomas on 02920660122 and email [email protected] or [email protected]