We are delighted to welcome Matt Hampson OBE, former England U21 rugby player and Founder of the Matt Hampson Foundation, as a keynote speaker at this year’s CIMSPA Conference.
Matt’s life changed in 2005 when a collapsed scrum during an England Under-21 training session left him paralysed from the neck down and reliant on a ventilator to breathe. At just 20 years old, he faced an unimaginable challenge – but rather than focus on what he had lost, Matt channelled his strength into creating something extraordinary.
In 2011, he founded the Matt Hampson Foundation, which supports people who have sustained life-changing injuries, particularly through sport. At the heart of this is the Get Busy Living Centre in Leicestershire, where beneficiaries access expert physiotherapy, counselling, wellbeing services and, crucially, the support of specialist personal trainers and physical activity practitioners who help them rebuild strength, independence, and confidence.
The Foundation has also become a powerful voice in the health and fitness industry, sharing its unique expertise in working with people with disabilities. Its ambition is clear: to create a world where any person with a disability can walk into any commercial gym and find not just accessible facilities, but also professionals who understand how to work with them effectively. By demonstrating what can be achieved when inclusivity is prioritised, the Foundation is helping to reshape the culture of the fitness industry, one that values accessibility, expertise, and human connection.
Matt’s story is not only one of resilience and determination but also of collaboration with the professionals who bring the power of physical activity to those who need it most. His session at the CIMSPA Conference will be an unmissable opportunity to explore how our sector can unlock potential, transform lives, and lead the way in creating a more inclusive future.