Congratulations to Mike Spence who has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours. Mike has been recognised for his services to education as a school governor and Teaching Assistant at Manorbrook School in Thornbury, Bristol but is also recognised for his wider work in the community and for his services to disability sport. Mike was a school governor for over 14 years and in 2006 became a Teaching Assistant supporting hundreds of children on their learning journey over the years. As a former paralympian, Mike has been an inspirational role model for children, introducing them to the sport and to Paralympic events. Mike captained the Great Britain team at the European and World Championships in 1997/98 and represented GB at the Paralympic Games in Sydney 2000. After retiring as an international athlete he continued his involvement with the Pirates team in Cardiff. In 2014 he was Head Coach to the Invictus Games wheelchair rugby team which defeated the USA to win the gold medal in London and is now Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
On being told of the award Mike said, ‘I am delighted and humbled by this honour and really thrilled that my work has been recognised in this way. I enjoy supporting young people who are always interested in my experiences as an international athlete and who always want to know and understand more the challenges of being in a chair. I would like to thank my wife and family, my colleagues at Manorbrook School and all in wheelchair rugby for supporting me over the years’.
David Pond, Chief Executive GBWR commented, ‘ I am absolutely delighted that Mike has been recognised in this way. His selfless commitment to a multitude of community activities over many years and as an international athlete is inspirational and he continues to play a vital role in wheelchair rugby in GB. It is somewhat ironic that the recent decision to stop all UK Sport funding for wheelchair rugby will deprive others of being similar role models for young people’.
