Ruby’s levelling the playing field

A Sprowston tennis player who is hoping to make sport more accessible to youngsters with disabilities has gifted a sports wheelchair to her old school.

Ruby Bishop ranks 29th in the world in women’s wheelchair tennis, and as well as her sporting ambitions her dream is to enable more young people to have the chance of following her lead.

She is campaigning to have special equipment in all schools and was delighted to start the ball rolling at Sprowston Academy.

“Walking back in as an athlete was a full-circle moment,” she said.

“Seeing my former teachers jump in, test the chair and fully embrace disability inclusion was incredibly uplifting.

“Their willingness to learn, to lead and to adapt shows what true commitment to young people looks like.”

Ruby, 22, is passionate about her Ruby’s Law campaign, which would mean specialist sports equipment would be as commonplace in schools as racquets, footballs and cricket bats.

The wheelchair at Sprowston Academy was donated by sports chair specialists RMA Sport, and she chose to gift it to her old school as a thank you to the teachers who stood by her through her own sporting journey.

“This wheelchair represents everything my campaign is fighting for: access, confidence, representation and a PE environment where every student can participate fully,” she said.

“It gives staff the tools to teach disability sport properly and ensures no student is left watching from the sidelines.

“Every school should have one, because inclusion should be as standard as any other piece of sports equipment.”

Academy head Liz Wood said it was lovely to welcome Ruby back to her old school.

“We are really  proud of her achievements and it is fantastic to see her doing so well.  It was also great to be the first school to be gifted a wheelchair by Ruby,” she said .

“We want all students to feel included in sports and PE, and the wheelchair will  help to support this further.

“We are looking forward to following Ruby’s exciting career and journey.”

Ruby, who lives with cerebral palsy,

complex regional pain syndrome, ADHD and dyslexia, knows how hard it can be for sporty youngsters with disabilities.

“Returning today reminded just how far I’ve come – from feeling lost to advocating for national change as an elite athlete,” she said.

As well as travelling the country spreading the word about Ruby’s Law, she has tournaments in Switzerland and Korea lined up before the British grass season begins. And she will be going to the Houses of Parliament later this month for a roundtable event.

She said: “I’m proud to work towards a future where every disabled young person has guaranteed equal access to sport.”