Jack Smith MBE
Classification: 0.5
Date of birth: 11/07/1991
Home town: Sedgefield
Club: North East Bulls
Disability: Spinal injury
Biography
Jack Smith is a seasoned and highly respected member of the Great Britain wheelchair rugby team. A passionate all-round sportsman, Jack grew up enjoying rugby in the winter, cricket in the summer, and golf all year round. His life changed in 2008 when, at just 16 years old, he broke his neck at the bottom of a ruck during a rugby match.
Determined to return to sport, Jack discovered wheelchair rugby during his rehabilitation and was instantly drawn to its intensity and team spirit. He began playing in 2009 with his local club, the North East Bulls, and quickly progressed through the ranks.
Jack joined the GB national squad in 2015, making his international debut at the BT World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge. He went on to represent Great Britain at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where he helped the team make history by winning Paralympic gold—the first ever for a European nation in wheelchair rugby. He was one of four players from Leicester Tigers to bring home the title.
His next major goal was to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, a dream he fulfilled. The team narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth after a hard-fought 50–48 loss to Australia. Jack also played a key role in the 2022 European Championship final and is a two-time Quad Nations finalist.
In 2024, Jack made a meaningful return to his roots, rejoining his original club, the North East Bulls, where his journey in the sport first began.
Off the court, Jack remains a passionate sports fan. He regularly supports his local rugby union club, Billingham RUFC, and continues to enjoy cricket and golf in his spare time.
Playing history:
2025: European Championships – 3rd
2024: Quad Nations Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, UK – 3rd
2023: International Wheelchair Rugby Cup, Paris – 5th
2023: European Championships, Cardiff – 2nd
2022: World Championships, Denmark – 7th
2022: King Power Quad Nations Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, UK – 2nd
2022: European Championships, Paris – 2nd
2021: Tokyo Paralympics – 1st
2021: King Power Quad Nations Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, UK – 1st
2020: King Power Quad Nations Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, UK – 2nd