Disability Sport Symposium - Breaking Barriers, Moving Together

To support our work around inclusion, 2026 will be the Hertfordshire Year of Disability Sport & Physical Activity. The Herts Sport and Physical Activity Partnership (HSP), working closely with the Herts Disability Sport Foundation (HDSF), will lead and coordinate a pioneering year-long campaign 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 Disability Ambassador programme.
• Developing the workforce so they have the skills and confidence to work effectively with disabled people.

To officially launch this campaign we are delighted to host this Disability Sport Symposium – 'Breaking Barriers, Moving Together'.

The event aims to establish the current state of play in the Disability Sport & Physical Activity Sector, 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. 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.

The evening will see the launch of the campaign and we are excited to have secured an esteemed array of guest speakers to be part of our dynamic Partner Panel Q&A.

• Lyndsey Hollands, Strategic Lead for Disability and Inclusion at British Cycling, leading the transformative Limitless programme.
• Adam Blaze, Chief Executive of Activity Alliance, driving national change in inclusive sport and physical activity.
• Two more inspirational speakers will be announced before the event.

Dr Chris Brown, Disability Sport Info Podcaster and Senior Lecturer in Sports Development at the University of Hertfordshire finalises our line up and will chair our panel discussion.

Target Audience

We would welcome all strategic and delivery partners (Hertfordshire or regional based), participants and coaches who are either currently delivering inclusive sport or physical activity provision but want help to expand their reach or those who are interested in developing their knowledge and are open to establishing new inclusive programmes/initiatives within their mainstream offer.

Light refreshments will be available throughout the evening and you will have the opportunity to network with fellow partners and providers, who share a passion for inclusivity, to share ideas, and explore opportunities to work more closely with disabled people in sport and physical activity.

The exact room will be confirmed nearer the date dependent on booking numbers.

Take a look at the event schedule and learn a bit more about our panel guests below:

18:30 - Arrival, Light Refreshments & Networking

19:00 - 20:00 - Main event

• Welcome Address & Launch of Hertfordshire Year of Disability Sport & Physical Activity 2026 campaign
• Panel discussion and Q & A
• Inspirational Keynote Speaker (To be announced)

20:00 onwards – Light Refreshments & Networking

Lyndsey Hollands

A passionate and strategic leader in disability sport, she is currently working as Strategic Lead – Disability and Inclusion at British Cycling, leading Limitless, British Cycling’s Disability and Para-Cycling programme.

Recognised as one of Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling 2024, Lyndsey uses the power of cycling to transform lives - supporting new riders, building inclusive clubs, and creating a nationwide network of accessible opportunities. Limitless is more than a programme; it’s a movement to break barriers, build confidence, and bring the joy of cycling to everyone.

Beyond cycling, Lyndsey has led strategic projects in disability and Paralympic swimming and held specialist roles in blind and visually impaired sport. Her career spans coaching disabled children in multi-sport environments, developing inclusive frameworks, and driving systemic change across sport sectors. She brings a unique blend of professional insight, programme design expertise, and cross-sector collaboration to every initiative - always with a focus on empowering disabled people and embedding inclusion into the fabric of sport.

Adam Blaze

Since January 2023, Adam has been the Chief Executive of Activity Alliance, the leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity. He has dedicated his career to changing attitudes towards disabled people in sport and activity. Prior to his current role, Adam spent 15 years at Sport England and has also worked for The FA, and Loughborough University.

He has a wealth of experience in leading teams in equality, investment management, and impact measurement. This is crucially strengthened with lived experience of disability within his family. His passion lies in creating meaningful and sustained change so that everyone can access opportunities to be active. Adam has a strong focus on developing people and is a qualified coach and mentor.

Adam sits on Moving Communities Board and the Sport & Recreation Alliance EDI Committee, essential roles in ensuring disabled people are at the heart of decision making.

Away from work, you will find him playing and coaching football, or supporting one of his six children with their sporting activities.

Dr Chris Brown

Chris is a Senior Lecturer in Sports Development at the University of Hertfordshire. His research interests include disability sport, Paralympic Games legacy, and disabled sports fan experiences. Chris completed a PhD at the University of Kent investigating the sport participation legacy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games for disabled people in England. Chris is the founder of , a public engagement project promoting disability sport which includes a regular podcast that explores various topics of disability sport and placed 3rd in the Best Equality and Social Impact category in the 2023 Sports Podcast Awards. Chris is an expert in Paralympic legacies and has done various media engagements, including radio, television, and the written press. During the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Chris discussed Paralympic legacies on BBC World News and France 24. Prior to entering academia, Chris worked and volunteered with a variety of national governing bodies of sport.

Info: Light refreshments will be available on arrival

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Host or Publisher Herts Sports Partnership/University of Hertfordshire