Press release -
Kelly Brown Becomes a Patron of Stamma, The British Stammering Association
London, Friday, 15thOctober 2020 —Scottish rugby union coach and former player, Kelly Brown, has been appointed Patron of Stamma, the British Stammering Association. Kelly won 64 caps for the Scotland national team and captained his country on 14 occasions. Kelly had 13 years at the top of the sport and played for the Border Reivers, Glasgow Warriors, and Saracens. In total, he amassed over 350 professional appearances, and won the English Premiership 3 times, and the Champions Cup twice.
Kelly Brown said: I’m delighted to be a Patron of Stamma, I know only too well the stigma attached to having a stammer and the difficulties of growing up with one. It is time that societal attitudes around this issue changed. The McGuire techniques have helped me to sound fluent, which is great, but there is a real need for people to simply accept that some people stammer. A stammer is just that, it shouldn’t stop anyone pursuing their career, whatever that is, or having a full and rewarding life.”
Jane Powell, CEO of Stamma, added: “We are thrilled that Kelly has joined as Patron. His glittering career in rugby has led him to be a role model for so many. He has garnered massive and admiration around the world, for his sporting achievements. Everyone’s stammer is different, and their journey with that stammer is never the same from one person to another. But everyone who stammer’s faces a world right now, where there is huge stigma and misunderstanding of this condition. In the run up to International Stammering Awareness Day, having Kelly join us is a real feather in our cap.”
Since retiring from playing, Kelly has continued to follow his passion for rugby in a coaching role. After 3 years in the hugely successful Saracens Academy, he is now a senior coach with Glasgow Warriors in Scotland.
Kelly joins a prestigious panel existing Patrons, who all have a stammer:
- Broadcaster and former MP, Ed Balls
- Celebrated writer, Dame Margaret Drabble DBE
- Politician, Baroness Whitaker
- Original ‘super agent’, Jon Smith
- Former MP and MSP, John McAllion
- Acclaimed author, David Mitchell
- Businessman and broadcaster, Arwel Richards
- Actor and Podcaster, Scroobius Pip
- Novelist, Poet and playwright, Owen Sheers
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Kelly's agent can be contacted via Clive.Stuart-Smith@ymugroup.com
Research suggests that 8% of people will stammer at some point in their lives with up to 3% of UK adults describing themselves as currently having a stammer.
The British Stammering Association seeks to create a society where people who stammer can fulfill their potential and enjoy respect and consideration. The charity offers support, information, advice and resources to those who stammer and their families as well as educators, employers and speech and language therapists. Founded in 1978, The British Stammering Association began trading as Stamma in 2019. For more information visit Stamma.org. Registered Charity Numbers 1089967 / SC038866.
