RICK RODGERS AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATE OF SPORT BY UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE
The doctorate was awarded to BF Inclusion Manager (Disability) Rick Rodgers, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to raising disability awareness in sport.
Rick Rodgers, BF Inclusion Manager (Disability), has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Sport by the University of Bedfordshire, in recognition of his exceptional work in raising disability awareness and widening access in sport.
The honour was conferred during the university’s January graduation ceremonies, where Rick was celebrated alongside students, staff, and fellow honorary recipients for his transformative impact on inclusive sport.
Rick’s journey to this recognition is testament to his resilience, leadership and commitment. From the challenges he faced following a life-changing injury to championing inclusion across multiple sporting communities, his efforts have redefined accessibility in sport. As founder and chair of Cheer for Everyone (formerly ParaCheer International CIO), Rick has helped establish disability-inclusive cheerleading worldwide whilst also driving collaborative initiatives with organisations like BF to reduce barriers for disabled participants.
Rick’s influence at BF has been profound, working to open up the sport, grow participation, and innovate through projects such as SwordSeat™: a device that significantly reduces the cost and complexity of first-touch opportunities in grassroots wheelchair fencing training. His work has been recognised not only in this honorary degree, but in broader leadership forums that celebrate inclusive change.
In his address to Bedfordshire graduates, Rick spoke passionately about determination, inclusion, and shaping one’s own path: a message that resonates strongly within the fencing community as we continue to champion diversity and opportunity for all.
BF congratulates Dr Rick Rodgers (h.c.) on this well-deserved honour, and look forward to continuing our shared mission to make fencing welcoming and accessible to everyone.