Paralympic gold medallist Jo Butterfield has vowed to ensure that the needs of aspiring sportspeople at all levels will drive the future of disability sport following her election to the ParalympicsGB Athletes’ Commission.
The 45-year-old, who became a Paralympic champion in athletics in Rio in 2016, but has since switched sports and has now represented Scotland at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships, is one of six members on the commission. 
She brings additional depth of experience to the role having served on the boards of both Scottish Athletics and a small urban sports charity in Glasgow which focuses on providing sporting opportunities within a socially deprived area of the city and she is committed to ensuring that the opportunities she has gained from sport are made available as widely as possible.
“I love sport and have experienced firsthand its transformative power,” she explained.
“The Paralympics significantly impacted my life, giving me a reason to carry on, a sense of family and an avenue to succeed following my spinal injury.
“The Paralympics is a force for good and I am dedicated to ensuring that athletes remain at the heart of every conversation and every decision.”
Her experience of performing at elite level in both summer and winter sports has left Butterfield uniquely qualified to understand the requirements of both and, allied to the administrative expertise she has acquired she intends to ensure that the best possible environment is created for competitors and all participants.
“As an athlete representative and board director for eight years, I have gained valuable insights into the governance of sports and am unafraid to ask difficult questions,” she pointed out.
“I actively listen to athletes' concerns and advocate for an environment where they can thrive.
“I am particularly passionate about promoting inclusivity in sport, especially increasing opportunities for women and those with higher support needs.
“Serving as a bridge between athletes and ParalympicsGB is a role I feel both equipped for and deeply connected to.
“Sport transformed my life and I am determined to help shape the lives of others through the power of sport.” 
Since switching from athletics to curling she has been involved in improving processes across a range of services, from communication channels for medical and nutritional support, to streamlining travel logistics, to working with executives to help ensure there is transparency in athlete selection, while emphasising the need to foster a positive, inclusive atmosphere at the National Curling Academy in Stirling.
However, she is also passionate about maximising accessibility to sport at grassroots level.
“My work on the board of a charity in Glasgow has given me valuable insight into the unique challenges faced by athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds, strengthening my commitment to inclusivity and equal access to sport,” said Butterfield.
Her election was consequently welcomed by British Curling Chief Executive Nigel Holl, who also worked previously with Butterfield when he was in a similar role at Scottish Athletics.
“As a Paralympic athlete competing in athletics, Jo and I got to know each other when I held the post of CEO, Scottish Athletics,” said Holl.
“I asked her to consider joining the Board of Scottish Athletics, a role she took on and in which she subsequently contributed superbly as an athlete and bringing so much more.
“Now working together again, since Jo’s ‘talent transfer’ into wheelchair curling, I am once again appreciating the significant contribution that Jo brings, her readiness to challenge, along with her insight, common sense, honesty, experience and determination.
“Her board experiences will serve her well on the Athlete Commission, as will the unique insight she brings as a summer and winter sport athlete.
“Team sport, individual sport; centralised programme, decentralised programme, Jo has all of this experience in her locker and, wonderfully, is the kind of person who uses that experience to benefit programmes, athletes and those around her.” 
A total of six athletes have been voted on to the ParalympicsGB Athletes’ Commission following November’s election. Alongside Butterfield, three time Paralympian and 2022 boccia world champion Claire Taggart was re-elected for a second term, while Paris 2024 gold medallists Jody Cundy (cycling) and Benjamin Pritchard (rowing) take up new positions alongside Tokyo 2020 wheelchair rugby champion Kylie Grimes, the first woman to win Paralympic gold in the sport and Powerlifter Louise Sugden, who claimed bronze in Tokyo.
The Athletes’ Commission - established in 2013 - acts as an advisory group to ParalympicsGB across a range of issues. Over the last year the Commission contributed to key discussions and decisions on areas such as environmental sustainability, branding and future Games’ strategies. The Commission also represents the views of athletes to the board, Executive team and other working groups and committees, bringing the athlete voice to all levels of governance within ParalympicsGB.
ParalympicsGB Athletes’ Commission
Helene Raynsford (Chair) – retired (Rowing)
Joanna Butterfield (Wheelchair curling)
Hannah Cockroft (Athletics)
Jody Cundy (Cycling)
Dave Ellis (Triathlon)
Lora Fachie (Cycling)
Kelly Gallagher (retired, Alpine skiing)
Kylie Grimes (retired, Wheelchair rugby)
Charlotte Henshaw (Canoe)
Benjamin Pritchard (Rowing)
Louise Sugden (Powerlifting)
Claire Taggart (Boccia)
Images: PPA/Graeme Hart
