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SWORDSEAT™ A FINALIST IN SPORT BUSINESS AWARDS 2025

We’re delighted to share that the SwordSeat™ has been announced as a finalist in the Sport Business Awards 2025 under the Sport Innovation Category.

Finalist Banner with the logo of the sport business awards 2025

The SwordSeat has been designed to overcome the prohibitive cost of wheelchair fencing equipment that prevents many individuals and clubs getting into the sport. Before the introduction of SwordSeat, clubs would have to source at least £7000 to purchase the equipment, as well as provide ample storage and be faced with often time-consuming and a physically challenging set-up. The SwordSeat comes in 14 pieces, making it easy to move. It takes only minutes to put together, with no tools required. It is easy to store in a flat-pack format and can be easily transported in the back of a car.

Since its launch in January 2025, out of approximately 400 fencing clubs, over 70 have expressed an interest to have a SwordSeat in their club. Our ambition is that by 2030, 50% of BF affiliated clubs will have a SwordSeat, providing more opportunities for disabled people to take part in the sport. We want to continue to work with community organisations who support disabled people to access sport and physical activity and face some of the biggest challenges to staying active, ensuring they have access to the SwordSeat and relevant training and support on offer from BF.

Designer of the SwordSeat, Dr Ed Elias, believes that as well as reducing the cost of equipment, the significance of open-sourcing the SwordSeat means that people can customise the frame to suit their own needs and preferences. He said:

“It’s exciting to think of the changes the community might create that we can’t think of. From my wheelchair background, things that come to mind are alternative backrests for people with higher spinal injuries who need more support.”

Paralympian Dimitri Coutya MBE commented on the SwordSeat, saying:

“The SwordSeat is a fantastic way to reduce some of those barriers, and everyone’s got an option now to at least try it. Whether or not they continue with it until elite level is up to them, and if they show that interest that’s a decision they make, but at least now, with things like this, equipment becomes much less of a problem. And I think the willingness of people to take it on and give it a go is the other solution to that.”

The SwordSeat has been designed to appeal to the community and health organisations who are looking for new opportunities for people with mobility challenges to be physically active, by adding the SwordSeat to their sport and physical activity provision.

In Bradford, Sunnah Sports CIC introduced SwordSeat to their delivery programme. This has now provided women who have not been able to take part in standing fencing, due to mobility challenges, with the opportunity to sit down and fence. Sunnah Sports is taking the SwordSeat into day centres in Bradford, providing people with a range of disabilities from the local community the opportunity to get involved in the sport. They have recently been awarded Club of the Month through Everybody Moves.

To support coaches and clubs in safely and successfully using the SwordSeat, a free online CPD course is also available.

The awards will be announced at a lunchtime ceremony in London on the 21st November, and more information about the awards can be found on their website.