Greenbank Sports Academy is celebrating its 25th anniversary in November

One of the UK’s leading centres for disability sport is set to mark a major milestone this year with a special celebration.

Greenbank Sports Academy, part of the wider Greenbank Project charity, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a Gala Dinner on 6 November 2025,

The Sports Academy, officially opened in 1999 by HRH Princess Anne, quickly grew into a powerhouse for disability sport in Merseyside and beyond. Once hailed by Sir Philip Craven, former President of the International Paralympic Committee, as “a jewel in the crown of the Paralympic movement”, it has since provided a training ground for Paralympic champions and grassroots athletes alike.

Over the past 25 years, Greenbank has been home to sporting heroes such as Hannah Cockroft OBE, Nathan Maguire, Abdi Jama, and Marcus Harrison, alongside many others who have gone on to represent Great Britain and England on the world stage. Its clubs continue to thrive, with the Power Football team competing in the Premiership and the Power Hockey squad crowned British Champions.

Significantly, it was at the Academy that Greenbank Project Founder and Paralympian, Gerry Kinsella MBE pioneered the sport of Power Hockey – a fast-paced, inclusive game that has grown from Greenbank into a national movement and GB sport, showcasing Liverpool’s role as an innovator in disability sport.

Looking ahead to the anniversary, Gerry Kinsella MBE said:

“When we opened Greenbank Sports Academy in 1999, my dream was to give disabled people a place to play, compete and belong. Twenty-five years later, the Academy is still buzzing with energy, achievement and opportunity. This Gala Dinner will be a chance to celebrate not just the past, but the future of disability sport in our city.”

Beyond elite sport, the Academy has also made a lasting community impact, delivering disability school sports programmes across Merseyside, hosting major events like the Liverpool International Handball Tournament and Big Boxing nights, and playing a key role in Liverpool’s 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations and the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.

Mary Beaumont, CEO of The Greenbank Project, added:

“Greenbank’s story is one of passion, resilience and community. For 25 years the Sports Academy has been changing lives, whether that’s supporting Paralympians to reach the highest levels of sport, or giving local children their very first experience of inclusion on a playing field. Together with Greenbank College, it shows the incredible breadth of opportunity our charity provides. This anniversary is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to look forward to the next chapter of breaking down barriers in sport and education.”

The 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday 6 November 2025 in Liverpool, featuring guest speakers, para-athlete appearances, and entertainment from Roy Turnham, England Blind Footballer and musician. Tickets are available now via TicketTailor.

The Greenbank Project was founded in 1983 by Paralympian Gerry Kinsella MBE, who transformed the former Children’s School of Rest & Recovery into a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for disabled people. Alongside the Sports Academy, the charity also runs Greenbank College, which has provided education, training and employment pathways for disabled and disadvantaged people for more than 40 years.