Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (UK)

Sue has been involved in wheelchair dance and wheelchair dance sport for over 20 years. Sue is recognised as the International Paralympic Committee representative in the UK for Wheelchair Dance sport and is also a National Coach and a National Classifier, as well as a lead Instructor for Wheelchair Dance Sport and Wheelchair Dancing in the UK.

As Chair, Sue is the representative for UK Wheelchair Dance Sport in any World and European level meetings and she works closely with a number of national wheelchair dancing and wheelchair dance sport organisations and represents the views of the membership.

Sue is the principle elected member representing the organisation, and chairs all Executive Committee Board meetings as well as the Management and Finance meetings.

As the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association Vice Chair, Ruth is deputy to Chair in all matters.

Ruth is a member of the Management and Finance Committee and is also the Chair of the National Team/Branch Advisory Group.

Ruth has been involved in wheelchair dance and wheelchair dance sport for a number of years since she started coming with her son who has Spina bifida. Since then Ruth has been challenging people’s views on disability and working with a wide variety of people to understand that Wheelchair dance and wheelchair dance sport can really make a difference to people’s lives.

Ruth is recognised as the International Paralympic Committee representative in the UK for Wheelchair Dance Sport and is also a National Coach and a Classifier nationally and internationally as well as a UK lead instructor.

As the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association Treasurer, Linda is Chair of the Management and Finance Committee.

Linda has been involved in wheelchair dance and wheelchair dance sport for a number of years since she started coming with her brother who has Spina bifida. Since then Linda has competed a number of times with her brother both on a national as well as international forms of wheelchair dance and wheelchair dance sport. Linda is a strong advocate for wheelchair dance sport and believes passionately about the difference it can make to people’s lives.

Nigel is a Member at Large on the Executive Committee and he is a member of the Management and Finance Committee, Nigel is also in control of the maintenance and repairs of the Wheelchair Dance Sport wheelchairs as well as the suppliers the WDSA (UK) uses and recommends to our members.

Nigel has been involved in wheelchair dance sport for over a decade, quickly accumulating a range of skills and experiences as well as from past careers a wealthy of knowledge on wheelchair design and specifications.

Not only this, but additionally Nigel has been awarded the league of mercy award.

Thomas is the WDSA (UK) medical expert he is also is a member of the Management and Finance Committee and the Technical & Classification Committee.

Thomas trained at the British School of Osteopathy. He has a lifelong interest in rural and traditional medicine and has spent a number of years in South East Asia studying Chinese manipulative medicine, and in Ireland researching the traditional methods of “bone setters” before moving to Poole, his family home.

He has spent a number of years working with children, utilising cranial osteopathy and taught embryology and clinical skills at the British School of Osteopathy and The London College of Osteopathic Medicine.

He is also a qualified forensic anthropologist with a special interest in the skeletal manifestations of chronic neglect of children.

Patrick is Chair of the Business Development Committee and also a member of the Management and Finance Committee and the representative on Equality.

Although relatively new to wheelchair dance sport and wheelchair dance after a number of years working with a range of charities and companies on business development, funding, start up as well as equality and diversity Patrick brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience which he hopes will enable the WDSA (UK) to grow and move forward.

Rhona has been voted on to the Executive Committee by the membership to represent the views of Instructors, officials and members in Northern Ireland on the WDSA (UK) Board.

Rhona Coughlan is very passionate about dance and wants to see this expanded within Ireland and looks forward to seeing this develop. Rhona is also a member of the National Team/Branch Advisory Group.

Kathy has been voted on to the Executive Committee by the membership to represent the views of Instructors, officials and members in England on the WDSA (UK) Board.

Kathy believes very strongly in the benefits of wheelchair dancing and wheelchair dance sport and as a member of one of the WDSA (UK) dance groups called the Isca Wheelchair Dancers, Kathy hope that she will represent the members in England openly and fairly. Kathy is also a member of the National Team/Branch Advisory Group.

Sharon has been voted on to the Executive Committee by the membership to engage and develop relationships between the WDSA (UK) and American wheelchair dance and wheelchair dance sport groups.

Sharon is very excited and looking forward to working and developing her roles as Trustee of the WDSA (UK). The links between America and the UK have always been very good in other areas we just want to make sure that this relationship as with others develops and improves that partnership between the two countries.

Nicola has been voted on to the Executive Committee by the membership to support Kathy Gibson’s role as well as enable the WDSA (UK) to develop its relationship with a younger base of dancers than we have previously.

Nicola who is a WDSA (UK) instructor and a member of one of the WDSA (UK) dance group called the Wheels in Motion. She hopes that her experience will enable the WDSA (UK) to deliver and develop to more individuals across the UK. Nicola is also a member of the National Team/Branch Advisory Group.