Ambassador
Joyce has an incredible association with WheelPower, having volunteered for the charity since 1980. For the last 10 years, Joyce has focused her work on the fundraising team. She has enjoyed every moment with WheelPower and the variety of wheelchair sports she has become involved with.
Originally Joyce helped run the Stadium snack bar. This allowed Joyce to see and hear about all the sports and activities going on at Stoke Mandeville when there was an increasing number of events at the Stadium. This included the Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Games (the National Championships) and the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Games (the World Championships).
“One of my favourite memories of volunteering for WheelPower is from one of the National Junior Events when a little boy asked me for a hug. I had been over to his table to serve him his coke and biscuits and he explained to me that he had just won two gold medals and his mum wasn’t here to share the moment with him. I duly gave him a hug and went back behind my table and sobbed my heart out!”
Whilst serving homemade cakes, biscuits and drinks Joyce also got to meet the athletes, officials and the team at Stoke Mandeville Stadium which was the beginning of many long standing friendships that continue to this day, both at WheelPower and with the disability sports community.
“These activities gave me the opportunity to watch all of the sports which were taking place and I eventually decided the ones I enjoyed the most were those which developed individual talents. “
Joyce found the sport that interested her the most during this time was weightlifting (now Para Powerlifting) and she would support the British Team whenever possible. In 1983 she was approached by the then Team Captain and asked if I would like to join the British Weightlifting Association for the Disabled. The main reason she was given was that she could “out hoot and holla the Yanks and Aussies.” Joyce goes on to describes why she loves Weightlifting as a sport, “Its you against yourself and I could fully appreciate the technique, hard work and dedication needed to compete.” From this early interest became and International Paralympic Committee Category One Powerlifting referee.
It could all have been quite different though as becoming a referee wasn’t the plan at the time as, on one day back in 1991 at Stoke Mandeville Stadium it all changed. “I was taking my turn on the Information Desk during the Wheelchair Games when I was told I was needed urgently in the sports hall by the British Weightlifting Association for the Disabled. I was greeted by the Technical Officer who informed me that I would be taking my National Referees Exam that morning due to women’s results now being included in the ranking list! So, I was handed the complete rule book, pages marked that I really needed to learn and, at 11am I attended a seminar on the rules, and at 12 noon I sat the exam”. Joyce passed and refereed the National Championships that afternoon.
Joyce then took further referees exams to became a World and Olympic standard referee for Para Powerlifting. She has officiated at four Commonwealth Games, four Paralympic Games (including London 2012) as well as a multitude of International and National competitions in over 25 countries. As she describes, “It is like a big family. The officials and athletes are always pleased to see each other and understand that without each other there is no competition.”
“This sport has enabled me to travel all over the world and I am very proud to be part of an international family of sportsmen and women, as well as all the friends I have made through WheelPower.”
For the last 13 years, Joyce has focused her volunteering work within the fundraising team at WheelPower. She has also been made an Ambassador and visits local organisations/networking groups on behalf of the charity. Although not a fan of a big crowd and being centre of attention Joyce tells a really good story and loves sharing this with others within the community.
“Knowing that what I’m doing at WheelPower is of benefit to others is why I love volunteering here. Working with WheelPower and the Paralympic movement means you are part of a wonderful international family and I sincerely hope I will be able to carry on for many years to come.”
