JAMIE STEAD ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Jamie is focusing on his family and new ambitions.
After a remarkable international wheelchair rugby career spanning over a decade, Jamie Stead has officially announced his retirement from international competition. The 31-year-old, who made his debut for Great Britain in June 2014, has decided that now is the right time to step away from the sport and focus on his family and new ambitions.
Cornerstone of GB
Jamie has been a cornerstone of the GB team throughout the last ten years, playing a pivotal role in the squad’s success. A defining moment of his career was winning Great Britain’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal in wheelchair rugby at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics.
Tactical Knowledge
His presence on the court and his immense tactical knowledge have earned him recognition as one of the best players in his 2.5 classification worldwide and retires from international competition with a hugely decorated career.
Key achievements.
Paralympic Gold Medal (2021) – Represented GB at Three Paralympic Games (2016, 2021, 2024) – Three European Championship Gold Medals (2019, 2017, 2015) – Two European Championship Silver Medal (2023, 2022) – Three World Championships – Three International World Rugby Cup Tournaments – 174 international Caps
Active and competitive child
Born with Cerebral Palsy, Jamie was an active and competitive child, exploring various sports such as swimming and wheelchair basketball before setting his sights on wheelchair rugby. He began his club rugby career with the Marauders WRC in 2012, quickly making a name for himself. His talent was undeniable, and late in 2013 he was invited to join the pathway and attend a GB training camp in Canada. The following year, he made his international debut at the 2014 Canada Cup and soon became an integral player of the GB team. Jamie was a huge part of the team’s gold medal success at the European Championships in both 2017 and 2015.
Dedicated Coach
Beyond his playing career, Jamie has been a dedicated coach for the Tigers WR5s team for the past two years. His passion for sharing his expertise and supporting upcoming players has made a significant impact, and he plans to continue developing his coaching career in the next chapter of his journey.
Member of the Order of the British Empire
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to wheelchair rugby, Jamie was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year Honours List of 2022, following Great Britain’s historic gold medal win in Tokyo.
Thank You!
From everyone at GBWR, we extend our deepest gratitude to Jamie for all he has done for the sport and GBWR over the years. We wish him all the success in his next endeavours and we hope he remains a familiar face within the sport.
