Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby has welcomed its first Ambassador to the sport that captivated the nation at London 2012. Harlequins and England rugby star Mike Brown will take on a role that continues the rugby links GBWR has made recently – partnering with the RFU and with Harlequins, Saracens, Gloucester, Leicester and Woodbridge rugby clubs – involving him in the GBWR military programme, supported and funded by Help for Heroes.
(From left to right: Alan Ash, GBWR Captain, Mike Brown, Harlequins and England and Kylie Grimes, GBWR)
Mike – who has amassed 21 caps for England and had a starring role in England’s recent Autumn Internationals picking up the coveted QBE Player of the Series Award – comments, “I enjoy playing rugby because it is physical and I enjoy wheelchair rugby for the same reason. The sound they make with the hits they put in is unbelievable. It is a fast-paced, high-action game and the physicality and skill they show with the ball is brilliant. I look forward to my new role and hope I will get a chance to join them for a game.”
David Pond, Chief Executive of GBWR, comments “I’m delighted that we have the support of Mike for this initiative. We have been working closely with the charity Help for Heroes and Battle Back to provide opportunities for wounded and injured service men and women to try wheelchair rugby for the first time. The programme started with a series of sessions at Headley Court and I’m pleased it is to be part of the rehabilitation programme rolled out to support Help the Heroes run Recovery Centres at Colchester, Tidworth, Catterick and Plymouth.”
Mike Brown met with GBWR squad players (including Alan Ash [Captain] and Kylie Grimes) at Headley Court, the Ministry of Defence Medical Rehabilitation Unit, to announce the appointment and joined them in a demonstration match against the patients.
The programme, funded by Help for Heroes, along with Sport England, will be available to wounded, injured and service personnel and veterans at UK Recovery Centres across 2014.”