Anna Turney Speaker | Sports & Lifestyle & Women & Disability

Anna Turney

Overcoming adversity to represent her country, Anna is a motivated woman with a remarkable ability to engage with young people and help them to see their own potential through her positive attitude and incredible story.

Although Anna didn’t excel at school, she enjoyed sport and had an active upbringing on a farm in Northamptonshire. Anna first tried snowboarding aged 16 and developed a passion for the sport. As a student, she developed her snowboarding skills whilst working at an indoor snowdome and racing for the University of Bristol.

After graduating, she worked in the French Alps (where she surprised her old French teachers by learning to speak French fluently), to her parents’ disapproval and dreamed of snowboard racing for GB in the winter Olympics. However, when an accident in 2006 left her paralysed from the waist down, her dreams were dashed.

However, she was determined to get back to the mountains. She soon took up monoskiing and was fast-tracked into the British Disabled Ski Team. Within three years, Anna achieved the goal she set whilst in her hospital bed; to race in the Vancouver Paralympics. She finished 4th, 6th and 8th for GB in Britain’s most successful Winter Paralympic Team in the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Games. Anna is currently ranked 7^th in the World and finished 3^rd in Europe in 2013.

An awful thing happened to Anna but as she reminds us, we all have challenges in our lives. Anna’s message to young people is to make personal goals, work hard to achieve them and never give up on their dreams.

Testimonials from Teachers

"Anna was absolutely fantastic. The students found her talk really interesting and inspirational. She spoke to nearly 300 of our female students and was very well received. We would have Anna back anytime."

– Carolyn Haines, Student Welfare Manager, Myton School

"The talk that Anna delivered was brilliant, it fitted in exactly with the theme of our event and we have had many comments from delegates about how inspiring Anna is."

– Laura Bratt, Learning & Development Officer, Threesixty HR Ltd

"Anna is a delightful young lady really friendly, we spoke on several occasions before the event. I feel really privileged Anna agreed to be our speaker, she is such an inspirational person and I can honestly say Anna made our event a most successful evening. I have received lots of messages informing me how much they enjoyed Anna's talk."

– June Bould, Cannock & District Soroptimists

“We are delighted to be working with Anna here at the Trust. Her sporting achievements as well as her determination to succeed in the face of adversity, make her a fantastic role model for our young people.”

– Emma Atkins, Director of Programmes, Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust

“Anna was perfect with our children and her presentation was superb. We were inspired and our launch led to a super first week of work.”

– Westminster Primary School

“Anna was a real inspiration and fabulous speaker. The children were in awe and she was absolutely brilliant with them. She pitched her presentation just at the right level to capture the whole audience and we loved having her in our school. We would have no hesitation in recommending Anna to other schools and organisations.”

– Mel Jamison, PE and School sport subject leader, Westbrook Old Hall Primary School