National Junior Athletics Championships to honour Anthony Hughes MBE

Officials and volunteers will nominate an outstanding under-12 competitor to receive the Anthony Hughes Memorial Trophy – Rising Star 2023. The national event welcomes hundreds of young, talented disabled athletes every year. It has for decades given athletes the opportunity to compete in a major event. Organisers ensure that there is something for juniors with every impairment to take part in.

Jannine Walker, National Events Manager at Activity Alliance, said:

"Anthony was an instrumental figure and a true champion for inclusive sport. He was committed to providing opportunities to disabled athletes at every level, whether just starting out or competing at elite level. We know how much he loved this event, attending it every year and cheering on his team. We were truly devastated to hear of his passing in December.

"The National Junior Athletics Championships embody so much of what Anthony fought so hard for. It will be a very special moment to present a trophy in his name. We hope this trophy can, in its own small way, symbolise the passion for inclusive sport that he had."

Hughes was National Performance Manager at Disability Sport Wales, and a leading force in Paralympic sport. He was named Sport Wales Coach of the Year in 2011, inducted into the UK Coaching Hall of Fame in 2012 and awarded an MBE for services to sport in 2013.

Fiona Reid, Disability Sport Wales Chief Executive Officer, said:

"Anthony Hughes was the Performance Manager for Disability Sport Wales for over 20 years, and he had a brilliant eye for spotting people who could achieve more.

"He was a passionate, knowledgeable, funny, tough, determined man – with a constant cheeky spark in his eyes. He had been a Paralympian and a world champion and was part of multiple Great Britain coaching teams in athletics, as well as being the personal coach to many legends in the sport."

Hughes coached Josie Pearson, Hollie Arnold and Aled Sion Davies guiding them to Paralympic gold medals. As an athlete he competed in the shot put and javelin at the 1992 Paralympics.

Reid added:

"We shouldn’t ever forget that Anthony paved the way for so much of what happens in disability sport today. He was one of the amazing people who fought for, influenced and inspired the start of change. 

"He was never satisfied and would still want us to do more. The best way for us to do that is to keep working together, keep celebrating the amazing achievements within events like the National Junior Athletics Championships, and never stop expecting greatness. Ant left us too soon, but keeping his passion alive is a job for all of us into the future."

The National Junior Athletics Championships will take place in Coventry on 1-2 July with more than 140 disabled junior athletes set to compete. This year’s event is supported by People’s Partnership, which provides The People’s Pension to six million workers in the UK, ensuring Activity Alliance can deliver a fantastic two-day event. 

Keep up-to-date with all the action from the Championships on social media, follow @AllForActivity on Twitter and join the conversation using the hashtag #JuniorAthletics23.