Statement - Sophie Hahn MBE

A statement regarding Sophie Hahn MBE.

Sophie Hahn wins gold at the 2017 IPC World Championships

Further to today’s DCMS Select Committee hearing, Miss Hahn would welcome the opportunity to provide evidence to the Committee at the appropriate time.

In May 2016 the IPC looked into the classifications of a number of British para athletes, including Miss Hahn. They concluded that, following detailed reviews including medical information, all the athletes were in the correct class, being a class for athletes with a co-ordination impairment that also encompasses cerebral palsy.

It is a huge credit to Sophie as a person that while she has been subjected to repeated baseless allegations of improper classification, she has focussed solely on continuing to improve as an athlete. Sophie is one of the hardest working athletes we have ever met and her fierce work ethic and determination to achieve excellence has been rewarded with multiple Paralympic and world titles.

With athlete welfare such a hot topic in sport today, it is distressing for any athlete who is in the correct class in Para sport to face such repeated and unfounded allegations.

Neither Sophie Hahn, members of her family, or team, will be making any further comment on this matter.

Ian Byers
Director, 17 Sports Management Limited
31 October 2017

Lizzie Jones joins Team 17

We are proud and excited to announce that the Sporting Soprano, Lizzie Jones, will be represented by 17 Management.

Lizzie is a professional singer, actress and performer and has performed throughout the UK at many major sporting events, as well as on stage and screen, most notably when she sang the traditional hymn ‘Abide With Me’ live at Wembley Stadium ahead of the 2015 Super League Grand Final. Her performance subsequently reached No. 34 in the UK charts. Lizzie also performed on BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015 as the solo guest singer and closing act, singing ‘Danny Boy’ which spent a week at the No. 1 spot in the classical charts. 

Alongside her musical performances, Lizzie continues to make lots of TV appearances and to work tirelessly on her Charity, the Danny Jones Defibrilator Fund. In 2016 Lizzie was voted the 'Inspirational Woman Of The Year' by viewers of ITV's Lorraine show.

Ian Byers, Director of 17 said; "Working with Lizzie represents a new venture for us at 17. We have been approached by a number of musicians in the past, asking us to work with them, which we have previously declined. However the opportunity to work with Lizzie, with her sporting connection, creates a lot of synergy for our business and we are looking forward to working with her".

Lizzie said "I couldn't be more excited to join #Team17 so I am super excited for the future and starting my journey with the fabulous team."

Lizzie is available to sing at events or provide an inspirational key note speech, suitable for any occasion. ​You can visit Lizzie's website for more information about her and if you would like to discuss working with Lizzie, please get in touch.

Watch Lizzie sing, the classic; Abide with Me and Jerusalem in the videos below.

Abide with Me

Jerusalem

You can follow Lizzie on Twitter.

Amy Hunt signs with 17 Management

We are proud and excited to announce that teenage athlete Amy Hunt has signed to be represented by 17 Management.

Although only 15 years old, Amy is the current England Athletics Indoor Champion at U17 over 60m. Her time of 7.43 in the 2017 final placed her third on the UK all-time indoor under-17 women’s rankings, behind Asha Philip (7.35) and Jodie Williams (7.38). In addition, Amy is currently the fourth fastest over 60m in the U18 age group in the IAAF World rankings. 

Three times English Schools Champion over 100m, Amy, from Newark, tops the Power of 10 rankings in her age group and there is no doubt that she is a huge talent and a great prospect for the future. 

Of her future, Amy said “I am very excited to sign with 17 Management and I look forward to working with them.  I am very positive looking forward to 2018 with a great team behind me consisting of my coach Joe McDonnell and all of the sprint group, my physio and strength and conditioning coach Paul Farquharson and 17 Management.”

Multiple World and Paralympic Champion, Hannah Cockroft MBE, a Director of 17 Management, said "I'm delighted that Amy chose to sign with us, she potentially has a great future ahead of her. I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with Amy."

Boo Matthews of 17 Management said “Having met with Amy and her family and watched her race, it’s clear that she is an incredible talent, which her stats would confirm. We are really looking forward to working with Amy throughout her development, alongside her parents and team, led by coach Joe McDonnell."

Welcome to #Team17 Amy!

You can follow Amy on Twitter