AFC Bournemouth
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson captivated guests when she spoke at the AFC Bournemouth Directors’ Lunch at Vitality Stadium on Thursday.
One of Britain’s greatest Paralympic athletes, she won 11 gold medals, four silver and one bronze, competing at five Paralympic Games during a glittering 16-year career.
In 2005, she was made a Dame for her services to sport before becoming a life peer and Baroness Grey-Thompson of Eaglescliffe in the County of Durham in March 2010, conferring her into the House of Lords.
She is involved in a number of All Party Parliamentary Groups and spends a lot of time in the chamber debating on issues including Welfare Reform, Assisted Suicide, Accessibility and Equality.
In an interview with afcb.co.uk, she said: “It was really nice to be here, especially with all the positive stuff that’s going on at the club.
“Everyone was great and they were a really interesting group of people and asked lots of questions. There was such a mix of people in the room.
“To have the chance to talk about my experience of being disabled, if it helps them think about things in a different way, that’s brilliant.
“I was lucky enough to be sitting next to Jeff (Mostyn) and his passion for the club was just brilliant. I just hope you have an amazing season.
“The ability of football to do some interesting things and inspire young people to get involved in coaching, playing or just being fit and healthy is one of those things that can change people’s lives in a really important way.”
Asked whether she was proud to inspire people during her career as a wheelchair racer, Tanni replied: “First and foremost, I wanted to be an athlete but if stuff happened along the way, that was brilliant.
“I’m very lucky I had an amazing time in sport and how you give back is really important. I just want lots of other young people to have an amazing experience of being physically active and the sport comes after that. Physical activity is important to the work I do now.”
Looking back on her career, she added: “It’s been surreal. There were probably moments I should have enjoyed more but I was always looking to do the next thing.
“It’s a huge privilege to do something you love doing and that’s what I got to do in sport and that’s what I’m getting to do in politics.
“They are not too dissimilar to be honest. In sport, you’ve got rules and there are rules in politics.
“Sport is about building relationships, having good training partners and having a good network around you to help you be the best you can and politics is really similar.”
As well as listening to Tanni’s motivational stories about the challenges and triumphs she has experienced, guests were treated to a welcome drink and sumptuous two-course lunch.
Cherries chairman Jeff Mostyn told afcb.co.uk: “It was a real honour and privilege to welcome Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson to the AFC Bournemouth Directors’ Lunch.
“Listening to her life story and success as one of the nation’s most successful Paralympians, together with her life in politics, was just awe inspiring.
“Her journey was one of sheer dedication and commitment and was a real inspiration to me and all those lucky enough to be present.”
