Our Westminster Champions event in October offered a platform for stories about sports and sporting goals. Panellists shared their personal, professional and sporting goals and their journeys to reach them.

Their personal passion, drive and determination inspired everyone in the room and fired us all up to do what we can to create more sporting opportunities, better access and provision and to enable more young people to succeed in their chosen area.

Getting started

Oliver Lam-Watson, a Paralympic medal winner in wheelchair fencing, shared a story that challenges the traditional narrative of sporting success. As a child, Oliver hated sport. It wasn’t just disinterest—it was discomfort. Sport highlighted his differences, making him feel excluded rather than empowered. For years, he avoided physical activity, convinced it wasn’t for him.

Yet, after university, Oliver decided to explore what was possible. There was no guidebook for being young and disabled, so he wrote his own. He started small – local gyms, running tracks -and gradually built confidence. His turning point came when a doctor dismissed his efforts as “not really a sport.” That comment sparked a new goal: to compete in a Paralympic sport. Within three years, Oliver qualified for Tokyo, winning bronze and silver, and later repeated the feat in Paris.

Oliver’s journey shows that goals aren’t just about outcomes – they’re about direction. Sport gave him structure, resilience, and a sense of control over something that had always felt uncontrollable. As he put it:

“Sport became a way of redefining what was possible living with a disability. It gave me a goal, taught me delayed gratification, and taught me how to lose – and come back stronger.”

Whether setting a goal to win a competition, to get a place in the team, or simply to move more, meet people, or smile more, every step forward counts.

Personal drive – community support

Kimani Wilmot, a three-time Muay Thai world champion, reminded us that goals often emerge from a crossroads:
“I sat down in my room and thought, let me take this opportunity and take it seriously and see what I can achieve.”

For Kimani, that decision led him to a regular and focused training programme and from there to a series of competitions. At every step local community support, from his trainer and North Paddington Youth Club, enabled this success: whether through a free training offer, or fundraising support with flights and travel to enable him to get to international competitions.

Ashley Theophane, founder and CEO of Treasure Boxing and a former world-class boxer who grew up in Westminster, echoed this sentiment:
“Sport can do so much for you. It can change your life, set you on the right track, and bring communities together.”

Ashley’s story shows that when sporting opportunities and success happens the impact goes beyond that one person – it ripples out, inspiring others and creating opportunities.

Access and Opportunity Matter

Oliver also highlighted a critical truth: talent alone doesn’t create champions – access does.
“Maybe that athlete on TV isn’t just the best at their sport – they’re the best who could afford to train.”

He asked us all to consider how many potential Olympians or world champions could be out there, unseen, because they lack facilities, funding, or inclusive programs?

This isn’t just a sporting issue; it’s a societal one. Goals require opportunity. And Young Westminster Foundation is committed to increasing funding and unlocking opportunities wherever we can.

We want to harness the collective resources of the Westminster community – collaborating with business and other partners to unlock resources and break down barriers – whether these are financial, physical or cultural – so that every young person can discover their capabilities.

Sports for life and employment

We were lucky to have a great diversity of experience represented in our panel.

Alongside sporting success we saw incredible passion to bring about positive change through sports.

Lauren Daley highlighted her journey from the point of leaving school and going on to becoming a voluntary sector leader coordinating play and sporting opportunities at the Adventure Play Hub in St Johns Wood. This wonderful service enables young people to get active, and grow their confidence, with a much needed inclusive offer for young people with SEN.

Anees Ikramullah from the Sports Management team at the University of Westminster shared his research expertise and the urgent need to invest in sports provision – particularly in a borough where higher levels of activity are seen due to inequality, dense living, costs and access.

We welcomed new financial support from Pentland Group, who are committed to enabling brighter futures for young people in Westminster.

In the busy month since our event we have seen a record number of Brighter Futures Fund applications through from our member organisations. Many fantastic sports projects are seeking our support.

We are determined to do all that we can to realise change and bring sporting opportunities to more young people.

Thank You!

Young Westminster Foundation are very grateful to our event hosts MCC, our sports member organisations and event partners.

Thank you in particular to our panellists Oliver Lam-Watson, Kimani Wilmot, Ashley Theophane, Lauren Daley and Anees Ikramullah.

If you are interested in supporting our Brighter Futures Fund and enabling sports opportunities for young people in Westminster please contact our Business Development Lead, Zahid: zahid@youngwestminster.com