Testimonials
Darren Matthews
Head Coach
Background:
At the age of 17, I was involved in a RTA accident that resulted in a neck injury, leaving me
paralysed from the shoulders down.
Two years later, I began playing wheelchair rugby. I had many wonderful and enjoyable
years playing at club level and traveling to international tournaments. As the club grew and I
aged, I transitioned into coaching my club a few years later in 2014 I was offered the
assistant coach role for the GB talent squad and became the assistant coach for the national
side.
In i January 2017 I became assistant coach for the GB full national squad where I
contributed to the winning of Paralympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Two years later, I left GB and continued coaching my current club, Leicester Tigers, while
also coaching Burton. I am now fully committed to Burton as head coach.
Burton Wheelchair Club Significance:
The Burton Wheelchair Club holds immense significance to me. It has ignited a newfound
passion for the sport and feels like a great honour to represent my hometown.
Impact of BWCR:
BWCR has profoundly impacted my life. It has provided me with a fresh purpose and
challenges that were previously missing in my previous club. We have formed a supportive
family that genuinely enjoys the game and engages in great social activities. I now feel like I
am coaching again and can recognise that not only am I imparting knowledge to players but
also positively influencing their lives. This has become incredibly rewarding and has given
me a greater sense of purpose.
Financial Support Benefits:
As the coach, BWCR offers me consistent training sessions and the opportunity to attend
National League structures. Additionally, it provides us with our own development league
fixtures, which would otherwise be lacking in terms of development and enjoyment.
Club Growth Impact:
While the growth of the club would undoubtedly increase my workload, I eagerly embrace
this challenge. It presents more opportunities to establish new teams and provide ample
court time for all members, ultimately contributing to our club’s success
My name is Sam.
In 2009, while on my way to work, I was violently attacked by a group of eight
individuals. I sustained multiple stab wounds to my leg, side, and arm, and suffered a
serious head injury that led to recurring seizures.
As a result of the assault, my stomach and bladder no longer function properly, and I
now rely on a feeding tube and a catheter. I also experience post-seizure paralysis,
which primarily affects the left side of my body and many other knock on effect issues.
Joining Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club has been truly life-changing. It reintroduced me
to a sport I never imagined I'd be able to play again. The club has provided me not only
with a sense of purpose and something to look forward to each week, but also with a
close-knit community. The friendships I’ve formed through the club have become like a
second family and have had a profound positive impact on my mental health.
The financial support provided by the club has given me opportunities I otherwise would
not have had. I’ve been able to travel to new places, made possible by accessible hotel
accommodations funded through the club. I was also fortunate to receive funding for a
new wheelchair tailored specifically to my medical needs, which enables me to
participate in the sport at the best of my ability.
My hope is that the club will continue to grow, allowing more people in similar situations
to connect, play, and thrive. I also look forward to seeing us expand our competitive
opportunities and play against more teams, which will help us develop and strengthen
our squad even further.
Sam Linnett
Attack
Matty Hart-Sanderson
My Backstory
I was always a huge rugby fan and dreamed of playing for the Red Roses. I'd been training
in regular 15s rugby, working towards that goal. However, my life took an unexpected turn
when I began experiencing problems with seizures and dislocations, which eventually led to
paralysis in both legs.
The transition was devastating. I felt incredibly down about not being able to continue with
rugby, frustrated and angry about losing something that had been such a central part of my
identity and aspirations. Sport had always been my passion, and suddenly that pathway
seemed completely closed to me.
What Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club Means to Me ?
When someone suggested I try Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club, I was nervous at first - I
wasn't sure what to expect or whether I'd fit in. But I soon discovered that BWCR means
everything to me. It's not just about the sport itself; it's about being part of a genuine
community where everyone gets on with each other and supports one another.
The club has become my second family. Glynn Bennett, in particular, has been incredibly
encouraging - he's a legend who always goes over and above for everyone. The team has
been so welcoming, and while I'd love to see the club expand with more women, younger
people, and greater diversity, the existing members have created an incredibly inclusive
environment.
BWCR represents hope, belonging, and the chance to pursue excellence in sport again. It's
shown me that my rugby dreams weren't over - they just took a different form.
How BWCR Has Affected My Life ?
This club has quite literally changed my life. Without Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club, life
would be boring and lack direction. The club has given me a new lease on life and the
motivation to try other adaptive sports and new opportunities.
The physical aspects of wheelchair rugby are amazing - the sensory feedback from the
contact, the skill required, and the camaraderie when we come together as a team create an
incredible experience. But beyond the sport itself, BWCR has helped me grow not just as a
player and coach, but as an individual.
Through the club, I've been able to access opportunities I never imagined, including applying
for coaching positions with GB (Great Britain). Coach Darren Matthews has been
instrumental in this - he's gone over and above, helping me with everything from filling in GB
forms to supporting my development. He's given me the opportunity to become his assistant
coach, which I hope will lead to a lifelong career in coaching.
The club has also shown me the power of inclusive sport. Being around other people in
chairs, with prosthetics, or with different disabilities has been transformative. You don't feel
different here - you feel part of something bigger. It's completely inclusive, and that sense of
belonging has been crucial to my mental health and personal development.
How Financial Support Benefits Me at BWCR ?
The financial support from Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club has been absolutely crucial in
making participation possible. The club's support with paying for accommodation during
tournaments means we can actually attend competitions that would otherwise be financially
out of reach.
Wheelchair rugby is quite specialised, which means we have to travel significant distances
around the country to compete - often much further than local sports clubs would typically
need to travel. Without the financial support for travel and accommodation costs, many of us
simply wouldn't be able to participate in tournaments, which are essential for team
development and personal growth.
This support has made the difference between wheelchair rugby being an impossible dream
and a real, accessible opportunity. It's allowed me to focus on improving my skills and
contributing to the team rather than worrying about whether I can afford to participate.
How the Club Growth Could Affect Me ?
The potential growth of Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club excites me enormously. I believe
expansion could be life-changing for so many young people and children in Burton and
surrounding areas who might otherwise never discover adaptive sport.
With more women and younger people joining, the club could become an even stronger,
more diverse community. This growth would create more opportunities for leadership
development, coaching pathways, and competitive success. As someone who hopes to
continue both as a player and coach, a larger club would mean more people to mentor, more
teams to develop, and ultimately more opportunities to give back to the sport that has given
me so much.
Having more members would also help with practical challenges like ensuring we have
enough players for consistent teams, more competition for places (which drives everyone to
improve), and potentially access to better facilities and equipment.
Most importantly, club growth means more young people with disabilities will have the
chance to experience what I've experienced - the transformation from feeling isolated and
limited to feeling empowered, included, and full of possibilities.
“Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club hasn't just given me a sport - it's given me a future, a
community, and the chance to help others discover their own potential. In the words that sum
up my experience: this has actually changed my life.” 20.6.25
Chris Parkes
I sustained a spinal cord injury to my neck (C6) due to a fall. After a year in hospital and
rehab units I came home and started university. I started playing rugby in summer 2021.
Playing with various clubs and players helped me build a relationship with the wider
wheelchair rugby community. I then joined Burton in spring 2025
As cheesy as it sounds, it’s like a family. We can’t go 5 minutes without someone making
a joke and everyone was so welcoming. I’d rather have that over playing international
but not happy in the process.
It’s allowed me to stay active and continue to improve my skills playing wheelchair rugby.
The funding burton receives takes some of the pressure off one of the most challenging parts of the sport, the cost.
The equipment is expensive as well as all the tournaments are quite a long distance to
travel, so any help financially is a big help.
the funding we get allows multiple teams and players get more game experience at
tournaments.
Kitty Smith
My Backstory
At 19, my life changed in ways I never expected. I had a mental health hospital admission, and not long after, my chronic illnesses — which I didn’t yet know I had — began to worsen. With hEDS (Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and PoTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), everyday tasks became harder. My mobility declined rapidly, and by 20, I became a wheelchair user.
The years that followed were incredibly isolating. I felt trapped — not just by my body, but by my circumstances. Many days blurred together, and I struggled to see a future where I could truly belong again. I missed community, laughter, and the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself.
That all began to change when I discovered Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club. I joined a few months ago, not really knowing what to expect, and from the very first training session, I was met with warmth, patience, and encouragement. The team quickly became so much more than just a sports club — they became my family.
BWRC has given me something that I hadn’t felt in a long time: purpose. Every week, I wake up with something to look forward to; training, teamwork, and the joy of spending time with people who genuinely understand and support one another. There’s always laughter, jokes, and a real sense of belonging on and off the court.
The coaches and players are incredibly patient when it takes me a bit longer to pick up certain drills, and instead of feeling left behind, I feel uplifted and included. That kind of support is rare, and it means the world to me.
Since joining BWRC, my physical health has improved, but even more importantly, my mental health has flourished. The loneliness I once felt has been replaced with friendship, connection, and confidence.
Chronic illness once took away my happiness and sense of self but Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club gave them back to me. For that, I’ll always be grateful.
