The RAF offers many opportunities for personnel, civil servants, and contractors to get involved in sports. Whether it be as a hobby, for maintaining fitness and optimal performance, or even playing for their country as a Professional Elite Athlete.
Former RAF Regiment Gunner Stu Robinson is an integral part of the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby team taking part in the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.
The team already hold notable accolades; fourth in the World Championships in Australia in 2018, and winners of the 2017 and 2019 European Championships.
But the team were recently shooting for Great Britain’s first ever medal in Wheelchair Rugby at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 - despite COVID-19 restrictions causing inevitable setbacks to their training schedule.
"We had to simply make do, and manage whatever issues arose. In some ways the adversity of it all has bonded us."
Stu Robinson
Stu was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device in 2013, which led him to try Wheelchair Rugby after taking inspiration from the seeing the sport played during the London 2012 Paralympic games; "I thought it was amazing. It must have had some sort of subconscious impact, because when I was injured, it became something that I wanted to try out." The RAF Benevolent Fund has supported Stu’s subsequent departure from Service and pursuit of Rugby.
Stu has also been encouraged by fellow military personnel involved in elite level sports, including Senior Aircraftman (Technician) Jon-Allan Butterworth, a Great Britain Paralympic track cyclist who holds three silver medals and former World Champion status.
Stu scored 14 points during their first Group B game against an impressive Canadian side, helping Team GB win their first match with a final score of 50-47. Great Britain then played New Zealand in their second group game, with a score of 60-37 and another 11 tries from Stu.
The last Group game saw the team clash with the United States, to win with 50-48. An intense semi-finals against Japan, with a winning score of 50-48, qualified Great Britain for the ultimate battle for gold.
They faced the United States, who they previously defeated during a group game. With a score of 54-49, the final earned Stu and the team a well deserved first ever Gold medal for Great Britain in the Wheelchair Rugby.
