British Wheelchair Basketball is delighted to welcome Tanya Harris to its Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director effective from 1st May 2020, as it bids farewell to longstanding board member Michelle Leavesley.
A major events operations expert, Tanya Harris brings to the British Wheelchair Basketball Board extensive experience from both Olympic and Paralympic settings having previously held the roles of Head of Summer Sport Engagement at the British Olympic Association during London 2012, and prior to this was Chief Operating Officer at the British Paralympic Association.
Tanya is the CEO and Co-founder of Foot in Sport, an event and sports consultancy which supports clients with major events operations including training camps, security, accommodation, and transport.
Tanya succeeds long standing Independent Non-Executive Director Michelle Leavesley, who retired from the Board in April 2020 following eight years dedicated service to the sport. Michelle joined the Board ahead of the 2012 London Paralympics and was influential in supporting the delivery of the 2015 Worcester-based European Championships, and later championed the sport through its rebrand project and digital transformation.
A passionate fan of wheelchair basketball from grassroots to the GB Performance Team’s, Michelle has been true advocate of the sport throughout her tenure.
On her appointment Tanya Harris commented:
“I was first introduced to Wheelchair Basketball in 2005 and have continued to closely follow the development of the game at both grass roots and elite level. Today, I am delighted to be joining the BWB Board in this exciting period for Paralympic sport and look forward to working with the rest of the Board and Executive on the 2024 strategic vision”
British Wheelchair Basketball CEO Lisa Pearce welcomed Tanya to the Board commenting:
“I cannot express deeply enough the value and expertise our incredible team of Non-Executive Directors provide to the British Wheelchair Basketball Board and the wider sport. We are incredibly fortunate to have leaders in the fields of finance, business and leadership, people management, elite sport and anti-doping as Independent Non-Executive Directors on our Board, Tanya will now add to this portfolio extensive experience and knowledge from the major events and operations disciplines.
“British Wheelchair Basketball is committed to delivering the ambitious five-year strategy we laid out in April 2019, and as a sport we are working hard to influence and deliver these targets. The skills matrix of our Board is fundamental to enabling the realisation of these strategic priorities, and I believe the appointment of Tanya Harris will further support our ability to fulfil our strategy.
“I would also like to extend the whole sports thanks and gratitude to Michelle Leavesley and the legacy she has left at British Wheelchair Basketball. She has been a true champion of the sport for the last eight years and it has been an honour to work alongside her for the last two.”
