The inspiring story of Canvey Island’s Volunteer of the Year
A life-changing injury meant Alex Breading had to step away from rugby at the age of 29. Seven years later and fully recovered, he returned to the sport as a volunteer having been inspired to change the life of his eldest son. This is his story, told by him.
My brothers, Jamie and John, played rugby from a young age but it wasn’t until I was 21 that I went along to the club.
I started like a lot of people do, in the third team and on the wing.
Eventually I grew into a 17-stone number eight. I captained the first team and was playing alongside my two brothers, that was a really special time for me.
I remember the moment the accident happened. I picked up the ball and ran towards their fly half, expecting to knock him over. But it didn’t happen. My neck went into spasm and it turned out I had broken a bone at the top of my spine.
It took me five years to recover properly. I’m 38 now and I’m free of any pain but that injury completely changed my life.
I had to step away from the club after the injury and in the years that followed I became a conditioning coach for professional boxers. It was an amazing experience but I missed the rugby club in those years.
A couple of years ago it became clear that my eldest son George was struggling. He was facing challenges with social interaction and communication, he was withdrawing into himself.
One day in the car he asked me, ‘Dad, why can’t I play rugby at your old club?’
That question changed everything really. At the time Canvey Island didn’t have any youth setup but I was determined to get it started.
I wanted to do it for my son, but also for me. I missed the club, the culture and the people. It felt like the right time for us to go back.
