Paralysed from the chest down after breaking his neck in a random rugby accident aged just 16, he had to build a new way of life. While he admitted, despite the silverware, the disappointment of a defeat does hurt, he said: “As a life-long rugby fan it was an amazing experience, getting to play at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium where I have watched so many big games on TV.”įor Jack, who has twice battled cancer in his life, it is yet another example of how you should never let setbacks stop you from achieving your goals, a message he was keen to share with sport students during his visit to Billingham’s Bede Sixth Form College. On the back of Team GB’s silver win at the Wheelchair Rugby European Championships this month, the 31-year-old from Sedgefield spoke of his disappointment at being pipped at the post by France for the second year running.
Paralympic gold medallist and former Bede student Jack Smith MBE paid a visit to his former college where he shared his experiences at the height of his game.
