Rio 2016 Paralympian and World and European silver medallist Sophie Carrigill has been named on the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for Sports and Games, honouring her sporting achievements and commitment to improving inclusion within sport. 

The annual list published by global media company Forbes spotlights the next generation of game changers in the sport and games industries, featuring international athletes from a range of sports and gaming entrepreneurs. 

“I was actually so shocked to find out that I had been listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30, it feels incredible to be recognised in this way and to be surrounded by some incredible game changing athletes,” Carrigill said. 

A leader on and off the court, Carrigill has been a regular member of the Great Britain’s women’s wheelchair basketball team since making her major championships debut as part of the team that claimed bronze at the 2013 European Championships in Germany. 

Carrigill has gone on to co-captain the GB Women’s team at Rio 2016 to its best ever Paralympic Games position of fourth, crowned U25 World Champion in 2015 and was part of the senior Women’s teams that created history, securing silver at both the 2018 World Championships and 2019 European Championships, the highest ever finishes for the GB Women’s team. 

Alongside Carrigill’s achievements on the court, the 27-year-old’s inclusion on the list also recognises the GB athlete’s commitment to challenging the inequalities that disabled people face on a daily basis and passion for improving inclusivity in sport. 

“I’m really focused on trying to improve the inclusivity in the sporting world, by creating more representation at every level, which will hopefully encourage more women to get involved with sport,” Carrigill said. 

“It’s great to see that as a disabled woman, this work has been recognised and will hopefully go a long way in inspiring the next generation of athletes or entrepreneurs. I’m so excited for what this opportunity will bring me.” 

Carrigill’s commitment to participation in sport has seen her have a behind-the-scenes and public-facing role in the launch of British Wheelchair Basketball’s Inspire a Generation programme, a ground-breaking new programme to help double wheelchair basketball participation. 

Away from the court, Carrigill works with a number of charities and is working with The Women’s Sport Trust to support the next cohort of athletes in their Unlocked campaign which unites leading athletes to tackle diversity in sport and change the conversation around Women’s sport. 

The full 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for Sports and Games can be viewed here.