Lewis King to Lead England Wheelchair Rugby League on Australian Tour
lewis King, a remarkable athlete and inspiring leader, will captain the England Wheelchair Rugby League team on their upcoming tour of Australia. This appointment recognizes not only his exceptional skill but also his incredible personal journey. He will be supported by Halifax Panthers player Jack Brown, named as vice-captain, bringing valuable experience from his four years coaching in Australia.
King’s path to captaincy is truly extraordinary. In 2009, at just 24 years old, he faced a life-altering diagnosis: a blood clot on his spine. This led to a grueling 21-hour emergency operation that left him partially paralyzed.
However, this adversity didn’t define him. He discovered wheelchair rugby league in 2016 with the Argonauts club based in Dartford, quickly proving his talent and earning a place on the England squad.
“Wheelchair rugby league is a special sport and the England squad are a special group,” King shared, “so being appointed as captain is just incredible – especially for a bloke from Dartford who wouldn’t have known anything about rugby league growing up.”
He played a pivotal role in England’s historic victory at the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby League world Cup, scoring a crucial try in their dramatic 28-24 win over France in Manchester.
A Tour down Under: Schedule and Squad
England’s tour will see them face Australia in two matches on the Gold Coast, scheduled for October 30th and November 2nd.Prior to these international clashes, they will warm up with matches against new South wales in Sydney on October 24th and Queensland on the Sunshine Coast on October 27th.
head coach tom Coyd expressed his immense pride in appointing King as captain. “To tell Lewis King that he will captain his country was an immense privilege for me,” Coyd stated. “The journey he has been on since suffering a life-changing injury 16 years ago is inspirational.”
the squad, announced on August 7th, features a blend of seasoned players and exciting new talent. You’ll see familiar faces alongside uncapped players Luis Domingos of Castleford Tigers and Finlay O’Neill of Halifax.
Here’s a look at the full England squad:
seb Bechara (Catalans Dragons)
Mason Billington (London Roosters)
Wayne Boardman (Halifax Panthers)
Jack Brown (Halifax Panthers, vice-captain)
Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos)
Joe Coyd (London Roosters)
Luis Domingos (Castleford Tigers)
Rob Hawkins (Halifax panthers)
Lewis King (London Roosters, captain)
Finlay O’Neill (Halifax Panthers)
Inclusive Sport & The Role of Non-Disabled Players
Jack Brown’s inclusion highlights the inclusive nature of wheelchair rugby league. He initially took up wheelchair basketball,than transitioned to wheelchair rugby league,to play alongside his younger brother Harry,who lost both legs to meningitis as a baby.
It’s critically important to understand that international rules allow for up to two non-disabled players on the court at any given time, fostering a truly integrated sporting surroundings.This demonstrates the sport’s commitment to accessibility and equal opportunity for all athletes.
This tour represents a important opportunity for the England team to showcase their talent on a global stage and continue building momentum following their World Cup triumph.You can expect a compelling series of matches filled with skill, determination, and inspiring stories of resilience.
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