By Sian Haynes 
It was announced today that Head Coach and Team Manager of Coventry Stampede, Mandip Sehmi was elected to the Board of GB Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR). Mandip founded the wheelchair team at Coventry Rugby in early 2019 and has achieved a remarkable amount in such a short time – most recently finishing joint-second in the GBWR 2021 Championship last month.
Mandip has extensive experience with the sport being a part of the team that came fourth at the 2008 summer Paralympics in Beijing and also holds three gold medals from the European Championships in 2005, 2997 and 2015. He has been passionate about wheelchair rugby since sustaining a life-changing injury from a car crash in 2000. He was first introduced to the sport at the Stoke Mandeville hospital during his recovery and rehabilitation.
Commenting on his new role, Mandip said:
“I’m honoured to have this opportunity, particularly at such an important and exciting time for the sport as we begin the countdown to Paris as defending Paralympic champions. As a former elite athlete and now coach I am also passionate about the sport at a grassroots level and keen to help spread the word and get more people involved in and benefitting from this amazing game. Wheelchair rugby has brought me so much over the last twenty years it is a privilege to stand for election.”
Mandip’s appointment will satisfy GBWR’s articles of association which require that a minimum of two elected directors have experience as past participants of the sport; the other trustee in this position being Mandip’s London 2012 GB teammate, Andy Barrow, who was co-opted in 2018 before being elected at the 2019 annual general meeting. These board positions ensure the membership have a voice on the board.
Head of Community at Coventry Rugby Sian Haynes congratulates Mandip on his election commenting “we are so proud of Mandip representing the sport and club on the GBWR board. Mandip has achieved so much for the Stampede in such a short amount of time and during a particularly challenging period due to the COVID 19 pandemic. This is an important role and his unique perspective will provide valuable insight and really help to develop this great sport and in turn, Coventry Stampede”.
Whether you are a prospective player, would like to help out as a volunteer, or are a business looking for an innovative and unique opportunity, then please contact Mandip Sehmi via msehmi@coventryrugby.co.uk
