Steven Bradley (standing back left in the photograph) became involved with hockey when he started playing for Streetly Hockey Club (now Beacon Hockey Club) in the West Midlands; he loved the social side of the ‘hockey family’. In 2013 Steve became Sports Development Wellbeing Officer for Midland Mencap, a charity which works and campaigns for accessible and inclusive services and a better quality of life for everyone with experience of learning disabilities and additional needs. In this role, Steve worked to offer inclusive sporting opportunities in the Midlands. Steve is now head coach of England Hockey’s intellectual disability team (Hockey ID). In this interview, Steve talks about his route into hockey and passion for improving access, his role at Midland Mencap and how this transitioned into Flyerz Hockey and how hockey is adapted to support those with disabilities. He also discusses the challenges that arise when coaching a Flyerz Hockey team, past Flyerz Hockey festivals and European Nations ID Championships and the team’s recent success at the 2023 Berlin Special Olympics World Games (pictured).

Image courtesy of GB Hockey.