With an international wheelchair rugby career that has spanned over eight years, Jim Roberts now officially retires from the sport as a Paralympic Gold medallist. At 34, he has been an integral part of the GB team and their journey to win the nation’s first Paralympic medal in wheelchair rugby at this year’s postponed Tokyo Paralympics.
Commenting on his retirement, Jim said:
“Although a lot of people have known this has been coming for a while, today I formally announce my retirement from wheelchair rugby. So many thank yous to people who’ve helped me along this journey. Family, friends, team-mates, support staff, backroom staff, supporters and everyone in between. To achieve the dream of winning a Paralympic gold medal would not have been possible without you all.”
Jim has gained respect as a player globally and is well known for his dominant game play and tactical knowledge. A key player who featured in the majority of GB’s main lines, his work ethic on and off court will be well remembered by all. Jim is a player who has given so much to the game both in the UK and internationally.
GB Head Coach Paul Shaw said:
“You have become one of the world’s best players, you always strive to be the best. You challenge your team mates, you challenge the coaches, you challenge yourself. You’re a credit to both you and your family and will be sorely missed.”
Whilst Jim’s GB Co-captain Gavin Walker said:
“Jim, you will be remembered as one of the greats, not only as a GB athlete, but as a world class athlete that strived for excellence and pushed the sport to be better than it was when you entered it. A true legend of the sport and leaving a legacy to be immensely proud of.”
Jim’s key achievements:
- Paralympic Gold Medal (2021)
- Represented GB at Two Paralympic Games (2016, 2021)
- Three European Championship Gold Medals (2019, 2017, 2015)
- One European Championship Bronze Medal
- Two World Championships
- Two World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge Tournaments
Jim was a keen sportsman playing rugby and squash when he caught bacterial meningitis whilst studyingArchitectural Design at Coventry University. This resulted in a prolonged stay in hospital and the amputation of both his legs. During 2010, whilst rehabilitating in hospital, he was introduced to the sport by one his nurses and his wheelchair rugby journey began. On returning to university to complete his degree, Jim managed to find a league team who he could play with and, although he was very inexperienced, he was picked for the development squad in 2012, going on to make his GB debut in 2013 at the European Championships in Belgium. Following his debut Jim has continually been selected for every GB wheelchair rugby team since and retires with an impressive 140 caps.
Over his career Jim has played club rugby on both sides of the Atlantic – for Phoenix Heat in the USA and numerous British teams, finishing his career at London WRC – winning numerous national honours.
Internationally Jim has been recognised for his exceptional talent and won awards for Best player in his 3.0 classification at the World Championships in 2018 and the European Championships in 2015 and 2017, along with numerous domestic individual honours.
Following his performance at the Rio Paralympics in September 2016, Jim was highlighted by World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) as a key player to watch, after scoring an impressive 103 tries out of GB’s 208 in Rio. He successfully improved on this total at Tokyo, scoring 105 of GB’s tries and having the most individual steals of any player at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Following Wheelchair Rugby’s funding cut in 2016, Jim decided to embark on a dual career, securing a job in 2017 as an architect with C.W. Architects. He has had to balance a full-time job as well as continuing to commit to a full-time training regime, an impressive feat. Jim also obtained his Chartered Architectural Technologist in September 2020 whilst still preparing for the Tokyo Paralympics.
Everyone at GBWR thanks Jim for all that he has done for the sport and wishes him the very best for the future.
