“Paul Davies was one of the founding players of the South Wales Pirates which we set up in 1989, playing as a 0.5 During this time he competed in tournaments in Belgium, Holland and Switzerland. He also played a season for the Spartans.
In 1996 he and Jon Nutman set up the Welsh Wheelchair Rugby Association. They organised the TSW Welsh International club tournaments in Cardiff in 1998 and 2000.
He also contributed a huge amount to the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Association (as it was then), he served as both Secretary and Treasurer.
He retired as a player and in 1997 became the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Manager, retiring after he had taken the team to Sydney 2000. Paul was instrumental in getting the World Class Performance Plan funding for the GB team which was funded from 1999 in the run up to Sydney. The funding gave a subsistence allowance to the team members and brought in sports science support, more competition abroad and some money for coaching and support staff. He dealt with partners at UK Sport and administered delivery. It is now known as UK Sport Lottery Funding. He got our foot in the door and GB has been funded on every Paralympic cycle bar after Rio.
In 2001 he set up the GB Development Squad with Bob O’Shea and was the squad Manager from 2001-2003.
He was awarded an MBE in 2011 for his services to Wheelchair Rugby and to other Army Veterans and injured rugby players, including representing the latter on the WRU Charitable Trust.“
Keith Jones, GB wheelchair rugby Paralympian 1996 and 2000
