McElhatton recognised in the New Year’s Honours list

Martin McElhatton, Chief Executive of WheelPower, has been awarded for his services to sport with an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list, while Sue Campbell (damehood) and Roderick David Jaques (OBE) are also among those recognised.

McElhatton is a Paralympian who competed as a wheelchair basketball player at the 1984 games, and has been involved with wheelchair sports for over 30 years.

A Torch Bearer for London 2012, his career has also seen him take up voluntary positions and roles in local sport on top of his position with WheelPower – the national charity for wheelchair sport – which he has managed for 20 years.

During his time with the organisation, he has also overseen the £10.2 million redevelopment of Stoke Mandeville stadium, the home of the Paralympic movement.

Another sports administrator to be recognised is Sue Campbell, Director of Women’s Football at the FA and former chair of UK Sport and executive with Youth Sport Trust.

Initially appointed regional officer for the East Midlands by the Sports Council of Great Britain, Campbell became chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust in 1995 after helping to set up the charity, which helps children enjoy life-changing benefits through participation in sport.

Eight years later she was appointed chair of UK Sport, a position she held until 2013 as she presided over ParalympicsGB’s memorable showing at London 2012, where GB finished third in the medal table with 34 golds, 43 silvers and 43 bronzes.

After becoming chair of the Youth Sport Trust in 2005, she eventually stepped down from her role in 2017, a year after she took up her position with the FA.

Also honoured is Roderick David Jaques, English Institute of Sport Director of Medical services, who is named an OBE.

A specialist in sports injuries, Jaques has attended multiple major sporting events in his role with the EIS, which provides medicine and sports science services to summer and winter Paralympic and Olympic athletes.

Elsewhere, Michele Hammond – the Senior Performance Advisor for Paralympic Sports – and Barry Macaulay – the former chairman of Disability Sport NI – are awarded an MBE and BEM respectively.