Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead MBE, teen tennis star Matt Knoesen and the England Women’s Blind Football Team are among the winners of the Variety Disability Sports Awards 2026, announced at a special ceremony at @sohoplace in London’s West End. Hosted by doctor, broadcaster and disability advocate Dr Oscar Duke, the awards, run by Variety, the Children’s Charity, celebrated exceptional achievements across disability sport, from internationally recognised athletes to the grassroots organisations, schools and individuals breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for disabled people across the UK.
The awards shine a spotlight not only on sporting excellence but also on the people and organisations ensuring that disability is never a barrier to participation. From young people discovering sport for the first time to elite athletes competing on the world stage, the ceremony celebrated the importance of accessible opportunities and the life-changing impact that sport can have. With nominees ranging in age from just 13 upwards, the awards reflected the extraordinary breadth of talent, dedication and commitment within disability sport.
Among this year’s winners is Melanie Woods, who received the Fiona Anderson Award for Rising Star, celebrating her achievements in para-athletics and recognising an exciting talent in disability sport.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 29: Melanie Woods of Team Scotland poses for a photo after victory in the Women’s 1500m T54 Final during the Athletics on day six of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Scotstoun Stadium on July 29, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Richard Whitehead MBE, one of the UK’s most celebrated Paralympic athletes and a longstanding champion of disability inclusion, received the @sohoplace Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, while Matthew Knoesen was also recognised in the category for his achievements in tennis.
The Glaukos Award for Outstanding Team Achievement was presented to the England Women’s Blind Football Team, celebrating the team’s sporting achievements and its contribution to raising the profile of blind football.
Recognising the importance of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in sport, Loughborough University received the WeFix Award for Accessible Sport for All, while St Christopher’s School was named the winner of the Variety International Award for Active and Inclusive School. Both awards highlight the vital role that educational institutions play in creating opportunities, encouraging participation and making sport more inclusive.
Richard Whitehead MBE
Innovation was also celebrated, with Picture News, represented by Katie Harrison, and Boccia England both receiving the Mountpark Award for Innovation, recognising their innovative contributions to disability sport.
The Dreams Award for Inspiration was presented to Craig Wood for his achievements in sailing, while the Nimbus Disability Award for Unsung Hero was awarded jointly to Peter Wyman and Rick Rodgers, celebrating individuals whose dedication and commitment have made an important difference to disability sport.
Variety, the Children’s Charity, also presented a special Silver Heart Award 2026 for Outstanding Contribution to Variety, Children and Young People to Tushar Prabhu, recognising his outstanding contribution to the charity and its work supporting disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.
In a surprise moment on the night, Thomas Young, the Paralympic sprint champion, was presented with the Sports Icon Award, recognising his outstanding achievements in athletics and his impact on disability sport. Young, who attended the ceremony as a presenter, was unaware that he would be receiving the award himself, making the presentation a special highlight of the evening.
The Variety Disability Sports Awards celebrate not only those achieving excellence in their chosen sports but also the coaches, volunteers, educators and organisations whose work makes participation possible. Through its work supporting disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, Variety, the Children’s Charity, continues to champion greater access to opportunities and experiences that can transform lives, helping young people build confidence, independence and a sense of belonging.
Craig Wood
THE 2026 WINNERS
FIONA ANDERSON AWARD FOR RISING STAR
Melanie Woods
MOUNTPARK AWARD FOR INNOVATION
Picture News, represented by Katie Harrison
Boccia England
VARIETY INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR ACTIVE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOL
St Christopher’s School
NIMBUS DISABILITY AWARD FOR UNSUNG HERO
Peter Wyman
Rick Rodgers
DREAMS AWARD FOR INSPIRATION
Craig Wood
GLAUKOS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING TEAM ACHIEVEMENT
England Women’s Blind Football Team
@SOHOPLACE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT
Matthew Knoesen
Richard Whitehead MBE
WEFIX AWARD FOR ACCESSIBLE SPORT FOR ALL
Loughborough University
SILVER HEART AWARD 2026 FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO VARIETY, CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Tushar Prabhu
SPORTS ICON AWARD
Thomas Young
Feature image: Matthew Knoesen celebrates with the trophy after winning a Junior Wheelchair Boys’ Singles championship match on Day Thirteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Friday, September 11, 2026 in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Pete Staples/USTA)
