In the summer of 2008, both my masters degree and my research position in Paralympic sport at Brunel University were coming to an end. By then I had developed such a passion for Paralympic sport that I had decided I wanted to pursue a research career in this field.

Good research is heavily dependent upon funding, so it was lucky at this point, when I was seeking out potential funding sources for my further studies, UK Sport launched the Ideas4Innovation Awards.

The aim of the programme was - and still is - to fund and assist in any kind of research that potentially creates a direct benefit for Olympic and/or Paralympic sports and athletes. The research can be about anything from a novel training aid or rehabilitation technique to a specific piece of equipment, as long as the ultimate aim is to help win more Great British medals in 2012.

I proposed to UK Sport that if I was awarded the ‘Ideas4Innovation’ research grant, I would be able to assess the effectiveness of a novel training device for spinal cord injured Paralympians, that would have the potential to significantly enhance their athletic performance. 

Fortunately, I also met all the other pre-requisites for the prize aimed at students (the New Researchers Award), such as having preliminary data in the area I was proposing to study and being in my first year of post graduate research. So in June 2008, I submitted my application. The application process itself couldn’t have been easier. The form itself was straightforward to fill out and the team at UK Sport were happy to give out pointers throughout the process.

A few weeks after submitting my application, I was informed that I had been selected as a finalist for the ‘Ideas4Innovation Award 2008’ and that I was required, along with seven other finalists, to pitch my idea to a panel of experts at the UK Sport head office in London.

The judging panel consisted of: Professor Greg Whyte, a renowned sport scientist and former athlete; Dr Scott Drawer, Head of Research and Innovation, UK Sport; Glenn Hunter, Sports Science and Medicine Consultant, UK Sport; Dr. Ken van Someren, English Institute of Sport national lead for physiology and Alasdair Wylie,senior design engineer at Frazer Nash Consultancy.

The presentation itself went well. However, it was followed by some tough questions from the judging panel, ranging from physiology and ethics to design and application of my training device. On August 1, after an agonising wait, I was informed I had won the ‘UK Sport Ideas4Innovation New Researchers Award 2008’.

Since I won the award and have been able to commence with the research, I have completed an initial study to test the concept of my training aid, with some very exciting and encouraging results. I am now in the process of a follow up study to determine the effect of the training aid on specific markers of athletic performance. 

Having the financial assistance of UK Sport and access to their network of experts has allowed me to work with a wide range of Paralympic disciplines, including wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, athletics and adaptive rowing, all of which have the potential to benefit from my training aid. I hope to continue working closely with UK Sport in the future to further develop the training aid, which I believe could boost the chances of some of our Paralympians winning medals in London in 2012.

I would encourage anyone who has an idea that may benefit elite performance, no matter how abstract that idea might be, to apply for the UK Sport Ideas4Innovation programme. Over the past 18 months of being involved with elite athletes, coaches and fellow practitioners, I have developed a wide range of technical and inter-personal skills, which will be invaluable in pursuing a career in elite sport. 

Furthermore, the initial work that I have completed with the support of UK Sport has allowed me to continue my academic progress and I am now completing a PhD in the area of Paralympic Sport at Brunel University under the supervision of Dr Lee Romer and Professor Ian Campbell.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are drawing ever closer, and the opportunity to be part of it is a truly rewarding experience.

Ideas4Innovation has been awarded the Inspire Mark by London 2012. Applications for UK Sport’s 2010 Ideas4Innovation Awards are now open. The New Researchers Award is aimed at final year and first year post-graduate students and the Garage Innovators Award is open to any British resident with creative and cutting edge ideas. If your idea has the potential to benefit Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic performances in London in 2012, UK Sport may invest up to £25,000 in further research and development. To apply, download a simple application form at www.uksport.gov.uk/ideas4innovation. Applications close on July 9, 2010.