IPF welcomed by England Rugby during Autumn Nations Series
The specially adapted hospitality created for Injured Players Foundation clients at Allianz Stadium was a great place to be during the recent Autumn Nations Series.
Wheelchairs can be accommodated on the terrace and there’s always a lively crowd chatting and catching up at half-time and post-match.
The day involves more than the obvious enjoyment of watching a Test match, as clients gain a lot from socializing and sharing experiences.
Hamish Minton (23) and Spencer Wadsworth (19) have a lot in common. They both suffered a rare Brachial Plexus injury, with permanent damage to the nerves that control movement and sensation in their right arm and hand.
Hamish was injured in March 2022 playing No 8 for Chichester while home from Swansea University. With IPF support, he returned to university and graduated in Engineering in July 2024.
Talking about the charity, he said: “What haven’t the IPF done for me? I’ve had amazing support for me and my family, and it’s certainly kept my love of rugby alive.”
Hamish, having been helped with vehicle adaptations and driving assessment, rehab equipment, gym membership and specialist rowing equipment, is now on the para rowing talent programme. He’s been waterskiing, done a golf taster and was one of the IPF clients welcomed at Pennyhill Park England training.
He’s also going skiing with the IPF in January, alongside Spencer, who was injured in 0ctober 2023 in his first game for Keele University. Spencer missed the remainder of his first year but returned to his biomedical studies in September 2024 with IPF support. He has also been waterskiing and now coaches rugby at university and with Newcastle RFC in Stoke on Trent. He credits the charity with “helping more than I can say. They’ve helped me into my new life and given me new opportunities.”
Luke Orton, aged 27, was a guest at the New Zealand match with two teammates who were with him playing for Rhyde Rhinos at a beach rugby tournament in July 2023 and helping support Luke and his parents.
“I was completely paralysed as soon as it happened,” said Luke, “and it took a long time to get me off the beach. I’m still in hospital but I’m now in a care unit on the Isle of Wight while the IPF are funding adaptations to my house. The IPF have been unbelievable, they provided my power wheelchair, helped mum and dad with travel costs while I was in Salisbury Spinal Unit. If it wasn’t for rugby and wasn’t for them, I would be in a really tight spot. My parents know they are there for me and will always be there.”
The visit to Allianz Stadium was Luke’s first independent travel since his injury.
Gareth Rees, aged 38, was injured in January 2011 playing for Stratford upon Avon RFC. He works for NFU Mutual and relies on a head-controlled powered wheelchair. Having been helped by the IPF with housing, wheelchairs, travel costs, IT equipment and garden adaptations, Gareth was at Allianz Stadium with Darren Cooper and Kevin Simons, who with Matt Levi, created a custom-made chariot to get him round the London Marathon.
“We wanted to avoid Gareth paying around £3,000 for something he’d only use once,” said Darren.
“The last marathon was the first where you were allowed to push someone around the course and my runners were two guys from Stratford RFC, Florent Vialan and Richard Pepperall, as well as a work colleague from NFU Mutual, Wendy Woodhouse. I’d already done a skydive for the IPF and thought what else could I do and we managed to raise over £7,000. I think it took us five and a half hours. It’s great to be here at Allianz Stadium with the guys who made it possible.”
IPF ambassadors also pop in to spend time and chat with clients, among them Topsy Ojo, Wayne Barnes and Katy Daley-McLean.
The youngest guests were Arron Williams’ son and daughter five-year-old Oscar and Alexa (9). Thanks to the IPF they were also England mascots, running out with the players and singing the National Anthem.
Arron, now 42, was injured in September 2007 playing for Basildon RFC. He’s been helped with housing adaptations, vehicle purchases and repairs, rehab and further physio. He and the family went on an adventure holiday with the IPF in 2023.
It was a tearful dad watching Oscar and Alexa on the day. “I’m so thankful to the IPF for the opportunity for my little boy and girls to have the honour of being England mascots. There was a tear in my eye. It was really big for me,” he said.
“I’m 17 years injured now and all I can say is the IPF are amazing, 17 years on and they are still supporting me through everything. I really feel part of the rugby community.”
Alexa added: “When I was running out with the team, I saw lots of people cheering and my mum said they were cheering for me. It was really special.”
