Paralympian Louise Hunt Skelley PLY has been honoured with a Special Recognition Award.
Louise, former British wheelchair tennis athlete and Paralympian from Wroughton, Swindon, attended the South West Business & Community Awards as a nominee in the hotly contested category of Female Entrepreneur of the Year.
She was given the award for her tireless work in the media, in the world of wheelchair tennis and in being a champion for diversity and inclusion.
Louise was unaware that she would be honoured with the Special Recognition Award that night (March 12) – however her husband Chris, her parents Tim and Linda and her friends were all in on the secret!
Louise said: “I did not see that coming. Gosh, I’m in shock. A big thank you to whomever nominated me and the amazing judges. I could thank a million people, I have the best family and friends in the whole world and I didn’t achieve that on my own, I did it because they believed in me and pushed me.
“A big thank you has to go to my husband Chris as he literally makes me think I can achieve anything and believes in every crazy idea I have. He understands I am abnormally ambitious!”
The award honoured her achievements including the release of her book ‘What’s Wrong with You?’ and her commentating at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Tokyo Paralympics and many Wimbledon championships.
She is also an accomplished speaker and tennis tournament director and has transitioned successfully from being a full-time world class wheelchair tennis player to a successful businesswoman. Louise is one of Wiltshire’s most accomplished elite athletes and represented Great Britain at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Paul Day, of Filestream,who presented the award and is also the headline sponsor for the event, said: “As judges, someone will come to our attention for a special recognition award. She stood out to receive this award in 2025. She continuously proves to us all that ‘impossible’ is not a word she recognises.
“By being positive, ambitious, and determined Louise defies boundaries. Every morning, she puts on a necklace given to her by her husband that says, ‘Abnormally Ambitious’, which paints an incredibly accurate picture of her.”
At the event, a recorded message was played from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson who congratulated her for her sporting achievements and her dedication to supporting others since leaving elite sport.
Find out more about Louise Hunt Skelley PLY by visiting: http://www.louisehunt.co.uk.
Your Comments
Be the first to comment on this article
Login or Register to post a comment on this article