Meet the Team: John Radcliffe, Head of Sport
Behind every Vulcan sport wheelchair is a team of skilled people who understand that no two athletes, and no two chairs, are exactly the same.
As part of our new Meet the Team series, we're introducing the people whose knowledge, craftsmanship and attention to detail bring every chair to life. First up is John Radcliffe, our Head of Sport.
John has worked for Roma Medical for 25 years and became a key part of the development of its sport division when it was established in 2012. Today, he oversees the day-to-day work of the Vulcan sport wheelchair manufacturing team, supports athlete fittings and helps solve the technical challenges that naturally come with producing completely bespoke equipment.
No Two Days, and No Two Sport Wheelchairs, Are the Same
A typical day for John begins with planning the team's workload and making sure each chair progresses through production correctly.
Alongside coordinating the manufacturing schedule and holding production meetings with the team, John carries out athlete fittings, monitors individual builds and helps determine the best solution when a chair requires something outside the usual manufacturing process.
Problem-solving is a major part of the role because a made-to-measure sport wheelchair cannot simply be taken from a standard design.
"Wheelchairs are produced using a manufacturer's standard jigs and patterns, meaning they can be made in multiple quantities," John explains. "The Vulcan Sport way creates a made-to-measure sport chair which is completely bespoke and built around and to fit the individual."
Getting It Right from the First Fitting
Every Vulcan sport wheelchair begins with the athlete.
During the initial fitting, using our Dynamic Contour Body Mapping® System, John and the team capture the measurements, requirements and preferences that will form the basis of the finished chair. Accuracy at this stage is critical, as even a small error could affect the fit and performance of the final product.
The team must also ensure that every chair complies with the measurements and regulations set by the sport's governing body.
Our Dynamic Contour Body Mapping® System is infinitely adjustable and mimics and captures the athlete's position, enabling them to be sure they get a perfect fit. Of course, technology is only one part of the process.
Some measurements and requirements cannot be determined by the system alone, so John's experience is essential when deciding how the build should proceed.
Certain disabilities may also require a completely bespoke section of the frame to be designed and manufactured. As all the design and build takes place in our Wales factory, not overseas, our engineers are local and on-site, meeting the athlete and understanding what they need.
This enables the technicians at Vulcan Sport to create a chair that properly supports the individual, allows freedom of movement and provides an intuitive and instinctive drive while remaining compliant with the rules of their sport.
The Athlete Remains Part of the Vulcan Wheelchair Build
Once the initial frame has been created, it is tack-welded so that it is strong enough for the athlete to test during a second fitting at the factory.
Before the athlete returns, the chair is checked against the original prescription form to ensure that its measurements are correct. The second fitting is a distinctive part of the Vulcan Sport process, giving the athlete time and opportunity to sit in, drive and test the chair before the frame is permanently completed.
Any requested alterations are recorded and added to the team's worksheet. If the athlete is happy with the chair, they approve the fit and the team moves forward with the final build.
This stage is an important part of the Vulcan wheelchair process. Rather than simply receiving the finished product, the athlete remains involved while changes can still be made.
John works closely with both athletes and coaches throughout this process to ensure that each chair supports the individual's position, playing style and performance.
From a Length of Tube to a Finished Vulcan Sport Wheelchair
After the second fitting, the agreed alterations are completed and the chair moves through the final welding, hardening, finishing and assembly stages.
A final inspection is carried out before the chair is ready to leave the factory.
John believes people would be surprised by just how much work goes into every build.
"The chair begins as a length of tube," he says. "When customers see the finished product, they really appreciate the amount of engineering that has gone into creating it."
For John, the essential qualities are simple to describe, even if achieving them requires considerable skill: the chair must fit perfectly, remain strong, manoeuvre easily and intuitively and also feel light for the athlete to push.
Every Vulcan Wheelchair Matters
After more than a decade working closely with sport wheelchair users, John refuses to single out one chair or project as his proudest.
"I'm proud of every chair we make and supply for our customers, from grassroots athletes through to those competing at an elite level."
The most rewarding part of his role is seeing how the right chair can improve an athlete's performance and experience of their sport.
As RMA Sport evolves into Vulcan Sport, John's 25 years of manufacturing knowledge, and his experience developing the sport division since 2012, will remain an important part of the brand's future.
Experience built over decades. Performance engineered for the individual.
