CP Awareness Month Profile: Toby Markham (Sprinting)

CP Sport collected a range of profiles from people with CP that participate in sport, as well as profiles from coaches, physiotherapists and parents of players to use as promotional material during the #CPAwarenessMonth. We aim to encourage more people with CP to take part in sport by sharing positive stories and delivering opportunities.

Name: Toby Markham

Role: Athlete (Sprinter)

Club: Newham Essex & Essex Beagles

About me: I was inspired by the 2012 Paralympics to have a go at sprinting. I found a club and haven’t looked back. I took part in many disability athletic championships in and around the London area while I was still at school. In 2017 I found out Cerebral Palsy sport and started successfully competing in their athletic championships around the country. I have won many Gold medals in CP Athletics Tournaments which makes me very proud. In 2022 I was really happy that my CP Athletic Gang all won at least one medal in the National Championships – I won three golds in my class! In 2018 I had the honour of representing my country at the CPRISA World games in Barcelona.

How I benefit from playing sport: I enjoy competing and meeting other athletes from around the country. I have made a number of friends in the field of athletics and enjoy catching up with them at meets.

The impact sport has had on my life: Training has kept me fit and boosted my self-confidence. As well as CP I also have learning disabilities and racing has given me the will to succeed in the world of athletics.

My ambitions in sport: To be part of Team GB and compete at the Paralympics in the future. I am a member of the England Athletics Para Talent Programme.

What would you say to others with CP about playing sport: Give sport a go if you don’t like one sport try another. There will be something out there that will right for you.