Only two years after sustaining a brachial plexus injury playing for Keele University, which resulted in the paralysis of his right arm, IPF beneficiary Spencer Wadsworth is part of British Cycling’s Para-cycling Talent Development Programme.
The programme serves as the crucial bridge between open disability cycling and the Great Britain Cycling Team and has been created to find potential 2028 and 2032 Paralympic Cycling medallists.
This weekend, as the best of British talent goes head-to head, Spencer will be competing in the Lloyds National Track Championships in Manchester, on a bike funded by the charity that he credits with turning his life around after the freak rugby accident in October 2023.
Understandably, Spencer initially found it difficult to come to terms with his life-changing injury, explaining:
“It’s hard to believe where I’ve come from and what I’m doing now. When I first got injured, I thought my life was over.
“I was in a very bad way, although I didn’t realise it at the time. I’m quite a proud person and if you told me I was depressed I would have dismissed it, but looking back it's clear that I was and needed help.
“My parents contacted the RFU Injured Players Foundation and they dragged me out of a pit. I'd probably go as far as to say the IPF saved my life in all honesty.
“The charity has provided me with continual support ever since, whether that’s funding for additional rehab, or help getting back to uni or driving again.
“They’ve introduced me to different accessible sports like skiing and watersports, where you also get to meet players in similar situations. That’s so important as you realise you're not on your own. There's this amazing support system there for you and that’s a wholesome feeling.
“When the IPF Welfare Officer, John Burgess, came round to see me when I got home from hospital, he made me realise life wasn’t over, it would just be different. I just needed time to adapt, to try new things and look where I am now.
“I never thought I’d run a marathon, as I don’t even like running, but I did the London Marathon for the IPF last year because I wanted to give back to the charity.
“From that experience I thought I’d give Triathlon go, but it was the cycling element that I absolutely loved. So I thought why not stick to what I’m really passionate about?”
“Cycling just gives me a rush. It’s like the same adrenaline you get playing rugby. It’s intense, it’s fast paced and all about raw power and technique.
“After the IPF funded my bike, I wanted to see if I could get involved in some competitive events. Then I was asked to attend a talent ID day at the Manchester velodrome - where I’m competing this weekend - and it was a class day.
“I can’t quite believe what’s happened since to be honest. I wouldn’t say I’m great at track cycling but I’m just really enjoying it, and I’ve got an awesome team and family who are helping me train.
“I never thought I’d be selected as part of the GB development squad. Training is tough but I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s track championships in which he’s racing in the 1km time trial (often called the kilo TT), Spencer said:
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how I perform in Manchester. As it’s my first time competing, I’m just trying to get a feel for the competitive side. A medal would obviously be nice, maybe I might just surprise some people and myself."
“A big thanks to the Injured Players Foundation for funding my track bike as well. It’s another example of how the charity supports players to fulfil new goals.
“I want to help spread awareness of the Foundation. Thankfully life-changing injuries like mine are rare in rugby, so hopefully players won’t ever need them, but it’s good to know they’rethere if they do.
“I never knew the IPF existed before my accident. Now I just want to share it with as many people as possible. If you love rugby, you’ll love the IPF. It represents everything rugby gives you.
“I don't think there's anywhere else could really get that kind of unconditional support. It’s like a family, isn't it?”
Spencer’s ultimate dream would understandably be to compete at the LA Paralympics in 2028. A long way off for sure but given the progress he has already made in such a short space of time, it’s far from impossible.
“The Paralympics are the pinnacle," he says. "It would be incredible to represent the country. That’s the dream. How realistic that is in a short-time scale is too hard to say, but I back myself every day to put the work in.”
