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July Talk with Louise Hunt

It’s July which is the second summer month and one which has a real sporty feel – including the end of Wimbledon, British Open Golf and the Tour de France! What’s going on this month with one of our most sporty business women in Wiltshire, Louise Hunt PLY? Louise is a former Paralympic tennis player who travelled competing and who was ranked top ten in the world at the height of her career. Today she’s a television commentator on sports, a motivational speaker and an advocate and activist around disability rights.

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW? SHARE WHAT YOU ARE ALL ABOUT:
Athlete Mentor – I do this role for the Youth Sport Trust, working with School-age children, both secondary and primary ages. I deliver various programs which are all focused on using sport as a tool to help young people develop their employability and personal skills, such as confidence and leadership. I do this all over the country.

Motivational speaker – I deliver talks about my career to businesses, schools and other organisations. These will often centre on my journey from reaching two Paralympic Games to my recent transition out of sport. I discuss the barriers and adversities I faced as well as tools which helped me reach the top level in my sport and working life.

Commentator – I have commentated at Wimbledon on several occasions for the BBC. I also commentated and worked across different media for Channel 4 during the Paralympic Games in 2021 (Tokyo 2020) too.

Consultant – I am able to help any business/school/university with how they can be more inclusive to ensure there is a place for everyone at their establishment, as well as supporting with physical access issues and advice too. I can support in helping organisations understand what reasonable adjustments are and how they should be implemented to ensure disabled staff or customers have an equal experience to their able-bodied counterparts. I place a strong emphasis on diversity.

What are your plans for this month?
July is a busy month for me. I will be speaking at Oxford Brookes University, I have several school visits booked across the country, as well as working for a local charity where I help adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues find employment. I will also be commentating at both Wimbledon and The British Open championships.

What are your personal plans for this month?
I will be going away with my family at the end of the month, and I can’t wait! The summer is always an extremely busy time of year for me work-wise so to squeeze a few days away at the end of the month feels like a real bonus and something I really need.

Does July hold any particular significance for you?
I love all the work I am doing in July but for me, the highlight and thing I am most looking forward to is seeing my husband-to-be receive his MBE this week. He won gold at the Paralympic Games last year and truly works harder than anyone I know. This is so well deserved, and a great excuse to get dressed up and have a lovely day out!

Tell us how much sport means to you?
I only retired from being a professional athlete last year, so sport still and always will run in my blood. My sport was wheelchair tennis, which was my dream job for most of my working life. So naturally, I was excited for Wimbledon, not just because I played at the event and still love the sport, but because working there is such a highlight.

I find it a real privilege to be on the other side of things. To have gone from a young age and being a spectator at the Championships, to competing there and now being on the media team feels like a very special journey, so this tournament is one I will forever look forward to every year.

On a much lighter note – July 17 is World Emoji Day and this often trends on social media. What do you think of emojis?
I LOVE USING EMOJIS! I use them all the time! I had to look at my phone to see which ones I use the most and at the top is ‘love heart eyes’ and the fingers crossed emoji. These are my most popular emojis and definitely my favourites, I think because I feel I am good at seeing the good in all situations and people but always have hope, hence the crossed fingers.

Can you name one business you’d like to give a summer shout out too?
I have to shout out to Fiona at Scott Media, for taking me under her wing and sharing such fantastic advice, but even more importantly, for helping me to believe in myself and for her encouragement to push and strive for bigger, better things.

As a consumer, have you visited a local business, bought their products or services and thought ‘I must recommend them’! If so here’s your chance – what business would you recommend this summer?
I love Beezes in Devizes! A quirky shop, perfect for gifts and always kind and friendly and happy to help in any way they can! I also really appreciate how every time I go there, they are happy to open up a separate door for me and move things around for better access in my wheelchair. It means the world when someone goes that extra step to help you and make you feel welcome. They can be found here - https://beezes.co.uk

And finally:
I am really enjoying my varied work life; I love the challenge it brings and the diversity in each day. It took me a long time to build up the courage to take the leap to become self-employed, but ever since I did, I haven’t regretted it and love every second. I would encourage anyone thinking of taking a similar leap to go for it, you never regret trying something, but you certainly will if you don’t just give it a go!