The Importance of Sport

Guest speaker Will Doggart in an inspiring address, very appreciated and enjoyed by all spoke about the importance of sport and how wheelchair rugby helped him rebuild his life. After a diving accident on holiday aged just 18 when he broke his neck he was told he would never walk again and is in a wheelchair. He used his competitive streak through his year-long rehabilitation. Having obtained his degree he realised there was still a void and he needed competition in his life. He heard about wheelchair rugby (which was originally called Murderball!) and was hooked very quickly - he felt at home in a rugby chair especially as, unlike others, this sport accommodates different levels of disability. He travelled twice a week to Dublin (the only wheelchair rugby club in Ireland) and, having been supported by the Dame Mary Peters Trust, now now plays for Ireland – the sport opened up a whole new world for him. Realising that there was a need for a club in the North he also started the Ulster Barbarians and now there are 20 playing every week.

He commended supporting the Trust as it is not publicly funded and relies on donations so that rising sports stars can achieve their sporting ambitions and experience the joy and elation of sporting success.