Kris Aves

Kris Aves was a serving Met Police officer when he was paralysed from the chest down in the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge in March 2017. Now, seven years later, he will be vice captain of the European team at this year’s Cairns Cup – dubbed the “Ryder Cup for disabled golfers”

Inconve r s a t i onwi th

Kris Aves joined the Metropolitan Police in October 2008 at the age of 27. After completing his training at Hendon, he joined the London Borough of Camden as a response officer. A few years later he changed roles and became a police liaison officer, attending demonstrations, marches and other large gatherings that required policing. His role in policing the Brexit marches of 2016 earned him a Commander’s Commendation. The day that he went to receive his award, 22 March 2017, changed his life forever.

Following the awards ceremony, Aves left New Scotland Yard with colleagues and headed back home – but was hit by a terrorist who drove onto the pavement on Westminster Bridge. The attack left five people, including the attacker, dead, with another 50 people seriously injured.

Aves spent eight days in an induced coma and was paralysed from the chest down. But rather than let his injuries define him, he has defied them to return to the sport he loved – golf.

Aves now competes in the seated category thanks to a mobility device called ParaGolfer that lifts him into an upright position. In July 2024, he will travel to Michigan, US, to play in the Cairns Cup – dubbed the “Ryder Cup for disabled golfers” – as vice-captain of the European team.

SportsNation spoke to Aves about his passion for golf and the importance of creating sporting opportunities for those with disabilities.

Have you always been keen on sports? I grew up loving football. I played for Saturday teams all the way up to under 18s and then switched to Sunday league. I also played rugby and cricket and even joined a pub darts team. In my 20s I worked overseas as a holiday rep and I would annoy my workmates as I’d constantly have Sky Sports News on.

When did you first start playing golf – and how often would you play before being injured? Golf wasn’t a part of my life when I was young, but when I was about 26, working for Virgin Active gyms, I had the opportunity to play with Paul Robinson and Hans Segers – the goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach of Tottenham Hotspur. They used to come to the gym and, as a huge Spurs fan, I said yes – although I had no idea of how to actually play golf!

I borrowed some kit and let’s just say that it wasn’t my finest four hours. It did give me the bug, though. Since that day I haven’t looked back – even creating a golf society for police officers and their friends while working at Camden Borough. I was never a single digit golfer, but managed to get round without hacking the course up – and once had a hole in one.

After losing the use of my legs it seemed that certain things were going to be taken away from me

The Golf Trust is the reason I’m playing golf again

Following the Westminster Bridge attack, did you ever think you could play again? There were three things that I felt I wouldn’t be able to get back to. Firstly, my kids are my life and, while laying in a hospital bed, I worried I wouldn’t be able to give them what they needed. I thought I wouldn’t be able to run around the park kicking a ball with them. Happily, with my rehabilitation and chatting to people I found other ways to play and have fun.

Secondly, I loved golf and watching Spurs – they were my hobbies and I was very passionate about them. After losing the use of my legs it seemed that those things were going to be taken away from me. Luckily, I was introduced to the disability access officer at Tottenham and I now get to go regularly.

Separately, I was also introduced to disability golf. The Golf Trust is the reason I’m playing golf again. My physio got in touch with them and they invited me to come along to the Shire London during my recovery.

You now use a paragolfer to play - what is it? The paragolfer is an all-terrain mechanical wheelchair/buggy that not only drives the golfer around the course but at the press of a button raises the user into a standing position to allow a more conventional golf swing. The paragolfer is designed to access most areas of the golf course including the green.

How often do you now play golf, on average? During the winter, not very often, sadly, due to the weather. It’s not safe to take the paragolfer on the wet grass. Not only that, many golf clubs, including my own, allow carry only. When the courses have dried up a bit – especially through the summer months – I try and get out weekly with the odd weekend away with friends.

You’re also involved with Cairns Cup - what is it? The Cairns Cup is a disability golf, premier match play event, played bi-annually between Europe and The USA – like the Ryder Cup for disability golf. It’s totally inclusive and allows for people with varying abilities and disabilities to compete on the highest platform possible.

The first event took place at The Shire, London in May 2022. It is played over three days with six fourballs, six foursomes and 12 single matches.

What is your role in the Cairns Cup organisation? I’m a director and this year’s vice-captain. As vice-captain I’m focused on the coordination of the European Team Players. As an organisation, the Cairns Cup has a 10-year plan to secure its future for many generations, with a mission to promote excellence in adaptive golf.

The next Cairns Cup takes place in July? Yes, in July 2024, USA will host the competition at Cherry Creek Golf in Detroit, Michigan. It will be a week-long festival of golf with an Adaptive Golf Clinic, a Charity Corporate Fundraising Day, Official Opening Ceremony and the event itself.

The event will be broadcast live on Youtube via LIVESportNow and there will be a 30 minute documentary after the event on NBC Sports.

How important are the likes of the Cairns Cup for raising awareness of disability sport? Of huge significance! Just look at what the Paralympics, Rugby Wheelchair World Cup and Wheelchair Tennis have done to break down barriers. They have blazed the trail for other sports to raise the profile of disabilities.

However, golf is particularly impactful, as it is a sport that can be played by any age group. Women and men can compete on an equal footing and, due to the handicap system, you can compete with players of a different standard. Furthermore, golf is a sport that both impaired and non-impaired can challenge each other. All of our efforts help to dispel the myth in everyday society, that a disability doesn’t mean an inability.

Golf is also a sport that is good for your well- being. It’s been clinically proven that being outside, exercising and being among friends can boost your mindset and your body.

If readers want to support the Cairns Cup, how can they do that? Financial help is always welcome – putting on the event takes an enormous amount of funds! We have to get the 16 European players to Detroit, (along with caddies and carers) and ensure they have accommodation and transport. Our view is that no player should be omitted due to financial restraints. If anyone would like to donate to the cause they can use this link: bit.ly/4cm562X. Businesses that want to sponsor can contact me directly: [kris.aves@thecairnscup.com](mailto:kris.aves@thecairnscup.com).