Welcome to the Leopards! Let’s start with a bit about you. Could you share your background and tell us why you do what you do?

I originally got into wheelchair sports through basketball about 20 years ago. Our team wasn’t doing too well, and then we heard from that wheelchair rugby league was being established in France, and they wanted to bring it over to the UK. That got me interested, and my old basketball team in Wigan jumped at the chance to try it out.

We decided to take up wheelchair rugby league, and since then, I’ve been involved on and off for years. I played for six years with Mersey Storm and represented Ireland about 15 times. I’ve also captained, coached, and managed the Irish team.

After 11 years with Ireland, I’ve done just about everything there is to do. I’m passionate about the game and enjoy helping others get involved and progress. There’s nothing better than watching someone new to the sport develop and gain confidence, both as an individual and as part of a team.

I’ve seen a lot of teams start out, only to struggle in the early years due to a lack of experience, much like when we first began. It’s rewarding to share my experience and help new teams get off to a solid start, focusing on the fundamentals and building a good foundation.

What sets wheelchair rugby apart from other forms of rugby?

Wheelchair Rugby is a highly physical and skillful game. It requires not just strength, but speed, agility, and strategy. It’s about being able to read the game, and very few players possess all the skills required, which means there’s a place for everyone on the team.

Men and women, young and old, can play together. I’ve seen players in their 60s compete alongside 12-year-olds. It’s a broad spectrum of participants.

When I took Ireland to the World Cup a few years ago, the oldest player on the team was 60. After the tournament, he thanked me and said, “You’ve made my dream come true.” He had always wanted to represent Ireland in a World Championship. Moments like that are priceless.

Next Steps for Leopards Wheelchair Rugby

The next step is building a solid foundation with a group of dedicated players who consistently come to practice, learn the game, improve their skills, and get excited about competing. We want to inspire players to follow the sport, watch top-level games, and aspire to be like their rugby heroes, whether that’s Mary Norris, Jack Brown, or James Simpson.

My main goal is not just to teach players how to play, but to make them love the sport so much that they want to keep coming back. The game sells itself, in my opinion. I’ve never met anyone who saw wheelchair rugby for the first time and didn’t like it. The World Cup had thousands of fans, and after every game, people—often for the first time—would come up to us saying how incredible the sport is.

In Ireland, we struggled for 10 years to get the sport off the ground, but once people saw it, they were hooked. Now, it’s growing, with new teams popping up. The same can happen here with the Leigh Leopards. I have no doubt that once people experience it, they’ll want to get involved.

Why Join Leigh Leopards Rugby?

Join the Leigh Leopards because it’s a great community club. You’ll be part of a team that helps you get fit, have fun, and grow as an athlete. You’ll also get to travel around the country, competing and making memories. It’s an incredible experience—why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?

Next Training Session: 26th October

10.30am -12pm at Leigh Sports Centre Hall

Email: foundation@leighrl.co.uk