Stephen Jones

Stephen is the Head Coach and chairman at North Wales Crusaders Wheelchair Rugby League & Disability Sports Clubs. Having started first as a player himself, he is the former coach of the Welsh national team. The club’s inception in April 2013 was borne out of a desire to make the rugby league accessible to everyone in North Wales and the surrounding areas. Having grown from strength to strength, the club has produced 16 international players under Steve’s stewardship and continued to grow during the pandemic, as well as providing a vital social outlet.

National Lottery funding has played a vital role in this club’s success, helping to equip the teams with sports wheelchairs. It is the only wheelchair rugby league club in the UK to have three teams playing in the various leagues system and of all the established clubs in the UK, it has seen some of the biggest growth in members.

Part of the reason that Stephen is so passionate that we need sports for disabled people is because he sees stories like one of his players, Ted, who was brought in at 13 years old. His mum brought him to the club as he had cerebral palsy and was terrified of inevitably being in a wheelchair. He has now gone on to become a Welsh international player.

Stephen said: “I fell in love with the sport purely because it's so diverse. Anyone can play. It's totally inclusive at the moment. We've got an 11 year old and a 70 year old. We've got a trans player, we've got amputees, we've got people like my son, who has epilepsy. I'm so passionate that we need sports for disabled people and with the help of National Lottery funding we’ve been able to move the dial on that significantly”