how trying something new led Hannah and Nathan to paralympic success

Hannah Cockroft and Nathan Maguire didn’t start out chasing medals, they simply took the opportunity to try sport as teenagers. Today, they’re two of GB’s leading wheelchair racers, training regularly at Brio Ellesmere Port. Hannah is now a nine-time Paralympic champion, and Nathan recently won his first silver medal at the Paris Games. We asked them about their beginnings, the challenges they’ve faced, and their advice for anyone thinking about getting involved in sport.

how did you first get into sport?

Hannah: I think if you ever meet an athlete, they'll always say their dream was to be an athlete. But I was completely the opposite. Growing up, I never played sport and spent most of my PE lessons sitting on the side and watching. That changed at 13 when I tried wheelchair basketball, joined a local team, and began exploring other sports. By 15, I found wheelchair racing. It was still never a dream to be a Paralympian; I just loved what I did and started training because I enjoyed it. But then, at 19 years old, I found myself on my first World Championship stage in New Zealand proudly wearing my first British kit! And I think that’s when they say the rest is history.

Nathan: I first started playing wheelchair basketball in 2006 with my first coach, Josie Chichockyj. She was a firm believer in getting opportunities where you find them and grabbing them with both hands. Thanks to her guidance I received the opportunity to try many different sports, and that's where my love for all sport came, and where I discovered wheelchair racing. 

have you encountered many barriers?

Nathan: One of the biggest challenges in my sporting journey has been access to facilities. I was lucky that I started wheelchair basketball early, and that’s when I got the opportunity to try so many different sports. I tried wheelchair rugby, tennis, water skiing, literally any sport you can think of. Without that exposure, I might never have discovered racing. Facilities like Brio are so important because they act as hubs for sport, giving people a chance to try activities, and funnel people into lifelong physical activity. Sport has been my whole life, and places like this are rare, and make such a difference.

do you have any advice on anyone getting into the sport? 

Hannah: Go out and look in your local community - see what's on offer and try as many things as you can. I didn't start wheelchair racing, I started with wheelchair basketball, which is on offer here at Ellesmere Port Brio with the Cheshire Phoenix Team. But that's not the only thing that's on offer. Not every sport will be the right fit, but each one teaches you something. You never know where it will take you – one day you might be like me, or even if you’re not, you can enjoy exercise and physical activity.

Feeling inspired? See what you could try at your local Brio.