Case Study: Building Tomorrow’s Champions: Will’s story
NationalThe Wooden Spoon GBWR Junior Regional Academies has been launched; this exciting initiative will transform opportunities for young athletes across the UK.
The academies provide a dedicated space for junior wheelchair rugby players to train, compete and grow together, with access to high-quality coaching and a clear pathway towards performance, and even Paralympic representation.
Will has been playing at his local wheelchair rugby club for the last three years. Will’s dad Gary, explains how the game, and the club, has been transformative for his son:
“Will has Crouzon syndrome, a premature fusion of the skull which causes all kinds of pressure on the brain, major breathing issues and facial disfigurement. This year he had major facial surgery. Despite this, Will still turned up at wheelchair rugby sporting his metal frame that secured facial advancement. He is also a full-time wheelchair user and has recently been diagnosed with hand disabilities. He wears hearing aids, glasses and has recently been diagnosed with ADHD and a skin condition. But this all has made Will the character and fighter he is today – he doesn’t see himself as disabled, would you believe? He faces his many daily challenges head on, and if you ask anyone who knows him, nothing stops him.”
“He became involved in wheelchair rugby at the age of six, as we’d seen the sport on the Paralympics. We found a local club and met the most amazing group of warm, friendly and like-minded individuals. It made a huge difference to Will’s life firstly, apart from swimming, it was the only sport he found where he fitted in, everyone was equal, everyone was like him. I’ll never forget that first training session, seeing his face light up as he ‘got stuck in!’ It also impacted family life so positively. As a group of parents, we’ve watched our kids mature, keep fit and develop skills in a sport. It’s also such a relief to meet similar people with similar experiences, it’s like a therapy session most weeks!”
I think the thing that Will ultimately enjoys is doing a sport with children the same as him. All his friends at school play regular able-bodied sports, but this is his time to shine. Forming the club has enabled Will to build up a group of friends that will hopefully grow with him over the years and this too is one thing that he absolutely loves. Lastly Will loves the fact he can smash the living daylights out of his mates… which kid wouldn’t like that?
We recently held a presentation night, where all the kids received a trophy, the kids involved had never been to a presentation night before, while siblings would be going to football presentations or athletics all the time, so this was their big moment!
It’s vital for charities like Wooden Spoon to keep supporting clubs like ours, as this is a lifeline. It allows disabled kids to be part of a club, exercise (obviously health benefits), socialise (mental health benefits) and grow and develop all kinds of life skills.
I believe we’re only at the beginning of something big in junior wheelchair rugby, but it won’t get anywhere without your help. The sport needs help developing and growing, with funding, to build leagues and hopefully a junior GB team in the future, which is my dream for the sport.
Open to all eligible young people – whether or not they are currently part of a local club – the programme aims to build inclusion, confidence, and develop lifelong friendships through sport.
The academies will hold regular sessions all leading to the inaugural Junior Tournament in February 2026, in Nottingham. Each regional academy will also build its own identity, complete with bespoke kit and a Junior Panel representative.
GBWR CEO, Jason Brisbane, said: “This partnership with Wooden Spoon is a powerful step forward in our mission to grow the sport from the ground up. Junior athletes deserve a space where they can thrive, connect, and dream big. These academies will be the launchpad for future Paralympians and community leaders.” The academies are calling on all eligible young people to give wheelchair rugby a go. Contact Jamie Higgins for more information at: jamie.higgins@gbwr.org.uk
Thank you to Young’s Pubs, whose fundraising has enabled Wooden Spoon to support GBWR.