Jack Smith

Started: He took up the sport in 2009 at the North East Bulls club in England. (chroniclelive.co.uk, 27 Feb 2013) Reason: He was introduced to wheelchair rugby during his rehabilitation at a spinal unit. "Growing up I was always involved in sport, playing rugby through the winter, cricket in the summer and golf all year round. After breaking my neck playing rugby, the first thing I wanted to do was get back into sport and when I heard about wheelchair rugby I knew it was for me. The sport has allowed me to make new friends, travel to new countries, and improved my general fitness." (gbwr.org.uk, 01 Jan 2023; leicestertigers.com, 01 Jan 2008) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (independent.co.uk, 23 Jun 2024) Awards: He was named Best 0.5 Class Player at the 2023 European Championships in Cardiff, Wales. (leicestertigers.com, 02 Jun 2023; 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship X profile, 09 May 2023) He was named Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [MBE] in the 2022 New Year Honours list. (gov.uk, 01 Jun 2022; skysports.com, 01 Jan 2022) Additional Info: FATHERHOOD He became a father to a daughter named Judy in February 2024. "I used to lose a game or make an error and it would bug me for weeks, but now you just can't afford to do it. You go home and see her having a little smile or something - that's what it's all about. You want to make your daughter proud so hopefully I'll go out there and win a medal in Paris [at the 2024 Paralympic Games] and she'll be there to see it. We are the reigning champions. We might not have had the best cycle so far leading up to the Games, but ultimately we're going there as gold medal winners from Tokyo so everyone should be gunning for us and everyone should be scared of us." (independent.co.uk, 23 Jun 2024)