Back to Ambassadors

Sophie Carrigill

"I love that I get to play and train every day with my extended family. I love how competitive it is around the world. Everyone is doing what they can to be the best."

It means everything to me

After months of rehabilitation, Sophie discovered wheelchair basketball through her local club the Leeds Spiders. "Wheelchair basketball was kind of similar to the sports that I'd played before my injury. I knew I wanted to play a team sport - and the local wheelchair basketball club was only down the road from where I lived. It's a sport that anyone can play and it's a great way to make friends".

After being inspired by the London 2012 Games, Sophie decided to play competitively, setting herself the goal to reach Team GB. "The sport involves a lot of dedication. Whether it's getting up at 6am every day for training or having to make the right choices by missing out on time with friends - it's mentally demanding. I love that I get to play and train every day with my extended family. I love how competitive it is around the world. Everyone is doing what they can to be the best".

Wheelchair basketball has challenged me to think positively about my disability. To see past any boundaries and to do what it takes to be the best. It means everything to me".

Paralysed at 16

Born on the 19th January 1994, Sophie Carrigill always considered herself as a very outgoing person, who loved life and had a passion for sports (particularly netball). Unfortunately, her life changed forever in 2010 when Sophie was involved in a car accident whilst in the United States - "it almost killed me, I damaged my organs and broke my back and spinal cord at the T6, which left me paralysed at the age of 16".