RICK RODGERS

Meet Rick Rodgers, a passionate advocate for inclusivity, bringing transformative solutions to organisations seeking practical and effective ways to achieve their diversity goals. With a sporting career spanning grassroots initiatives, national policies, and international governance, Rick has cultivated a unique expertise in disability inclusion and organisational strategy, and has been recognised on the 2024 Disability Power 100 list. 

With extensive experience as a national athlete, coach, and founder of ParaCheer International, Rick has empowered disabled athletes worldwide, creating opportunities in over 18 countries. Rick has recently been working with British Fencing as Inclusion Officer (Disability) where he has increased participation in wheelchair fencing by 500 percent and his recently launched SwordSeat will be a game changer in the sport.

PROUD CAREER MOMENTS

“I am the proud founder and chair of ParaCheer International; a successful charitable organisation that today works to develop and promote disability inclusion in the sport of cheerleading, nationally and globally. We now have over 50 teams in 18 different countries participating in this division of the sport, reflecting a hugely diverse community of individuals.”

“LEVELLING THE FIELD” MEANS…

“Opening up grassroots participation to all disabilities so that there's more opportunity for those who are paralympic eligible to find and enjoy a sport that works for them, while also enabling and encouraging all disabled people to be more active.”

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS OF ADAPTIVE SPORT

“At it's highest level the Paralympics is not an inclusive sport activity. Not all disabled people are going to be Paralympians, not all disabled people ever could be or want to be, but every disabled person should have the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity that is fulfilling.”

THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN
ADAPTIVE SPORT

“Technological innovation is vital, especially for those who need adaptive equipment to participate. We need to build systems and technologies that drastically reduce the financial barriers currently in place.

Interestingly not only does innovation almost always build better inclusion, but inclusion creates the space for innovation which then can move back and forth between inclusive and exclusive sporting environments.

A piece of adaptation we made on a cheerleading stunt for instance to make it possible to do sitting down has now transitioned back into the standing side of the sport making it easier for non-disabled athletes too.”

INNOVATIONS MAKING IMPACT

“I've been innovating wheelchairs for acrobatics and cheerleading for the last 16 years and each one has made it easier to connect with elements of the sport previously lost. The partnership i created between RMA sport and British Fencing to build affordable off the shelf fencing wheelchairs has also been game changing, but the SwordSeat will totally change the face of fencing both here and abroad. SwordSeat is already making it much easier to introduce wheelchair fencing at an affordable price point and with much more transportable equipment which takes significantly less time to set up. Watch this space!”

LEAVING A LEGACY

“Disabled people are innovators and it's vital to bring them into the workforce at a level where they can make decisions and be supported to change the world for the better by building effective inclusive practices. The work I've been doing for British Fencing to innovate wheelchair fencing activities is a great example of what can happen.”