This week, our team had the pleasure of visiting the incredible Defiant Sports, situated at the Archery Recreation Ground in Eastbourne.
Defiant Sports is a community-driven, inclusive organisation dedicated to making sport accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or ability. They offer a diverse range of adaptive and mainstream activities designed to support individuals with physical or learning disabilities, mental health challenges, those recovering from addiction, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women and girls in sport, and people at risk of offending.
Defiant Sports was founded by Loretta Lock ten years ago, after her son Callum faced discrimination while playing sports.
Loretta said: “Callum has autism, cerebral palsy and is visually impaired. Callum is a massive tennis fan and wanted to play competitively but we found there wasn't a field for him. At that time in 2012 we were told to put him in a wheelchair to get him to play. I found this extremely discriminatory and ignorant and it wasn't possible because Callum has hemiplegia so his right side is quite stiff, he wouldn't have been able to use a wheelchair and tennis racket at the same time.
It was at this time we realised there was a problem with peoples understanding of what it means to get involved with sports when you have a disability. We thought the only solution here would be to start something ourselves.”
Defiant Sports began in 2014 as a voluntary group offering disability tennis sessions. In 2017, they became a constituted Community Interest Company (CIC) and a registered Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC). Since then, they have continued to grow and expand their services.
Today, Defiant Sports offers a wide variety of activities, including most sports that can be played in a sports hall, as well as additional opportunities such as gardening sessions and children’s parties. Their mission is to remove barriers to participation- anyone facing challenges in accessing sport is encouraged to speak with a member of their team, who will work with them to find suitable options.
Their latest initiative involves supporting the Eastbourne Mosque community, helping to increase their engagement in sport and physical activity.
“We encourage anyone, if you are finding mainstream sports difficult or you feel like you don’t have a space in sports, we want to change that perception because everyone should be able to experience that wellbeing that comes from sport and being a part of a community activity.”
Callum’s journey is a powerful example of how the right support and opportunities can unlock potential and transform lives.
“When we set this up, Callum was having difficulties in playing sports and we got him into tennis for visually impaired people. He started playing in the June and by September he went to nationals and won the men's singles and doubles. It's proof that when you put people in the right environment they can bloom.”
Callum is now both a player and a coach at Defiant Sports and has been playing tennis since he was nine years old.
Callum said: “Defiant Sports gave me a space to find people like me and grow my confidence, it's nice to know that there are people like me wanting to play the same sports. There is more of an even playing field, I can see their weaknesses and they can see mine.
Everyone should give sports a go, if you like it you like it and if you don’t you can try another sport or find something else that you are passionate about.”
The impact of sports can be truly life-changing- helping individuals connect more deeply with family and friends, feel a stronger sense of belonging within their community, and gain a renewed sense of purpose.
To learn more about the sessions offered by Defiant Sports, check out their timetable on their website here.
Defiant Sports is currently running their annual Summer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, taking place from 28th July to 22nd August, between 10am and 2pm. Looking ahead, they will be hosting the Eastbourne Festival of Accessible Sport on Saturday, 6th September, from 10am to 4pm.
We’re incredibly grateful to Loretta and Callum for taking the time to share their stories with us. Their dedication and work at Defiant Sports are truly inspiring.
If you’d like to learn more about how Defiant Sports can support you or a loved one, visit their website here: defiantsports.org.uk.
To see more from our conversation with Loretta and Callum head to our socials.
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