At just 16 years old, Matthew Haswell from Swanley, Kent, is one of the country’s most promising young Wheelchair Rugby League players. His talent, commitment and determination have seen him recognised by England’s youth pathway programme and excitingly, he has been invited to train with a Super League club, the London Roosters.
Matthew is autistic and also experiences visual stress. While these challenges are not immediately visible, they influence many aspects of his everyday life. Through determination and resilience, Matthew has continually adapted, refusing to let these challenges stand in the way of achieving his ambitions.
Wheelchair Rugby League is one of the UK’s most inclusive sports, bringing together disabled and non-disabled players, men and women and athletes of all ages to compete alongside one another. Once in their sports wheelchairs, every player competes on equal terms, a great example of inclusion in sport. Matthew plays for Gravesend Dynamite Wheelchair Rugby League Club. His ability and attitude have impressed coaches throughout the sport, earning him selection to England’s youth pathway and recognition as a future national team prospect.
Although Matthew had been invited to train with London Roosters, a Wheelchair Rugby League Super League club featuring several England internationals, he did not own a sports wheelchair of his own. Borrowing different club chairs meant he was unable to perform at his best. For Matthew, whose autism means familiarity and consistency are especially important, using different equipment each time presented an additional challenge.
Because Matthew is able-bodied, despite living with autism, many funding opportunities for specialist sports equipment were unavailable to him. His family continued to support his training and competition costs, while Matthew himself demonstrated excellent commitment by walking 100 km to raise £800 towards the cost of his own wheelchair. Thanks to a grant from the CiaO Foundation, Matthew was able to purchase a made-to-measure Wheelchair Rugby League sports chair.
The difference has been immediate. Shortly after receiving his new wheelchair, Matthew attended an England Juniors Pathway event, where his family saw first-hand the impact the chair had made to both his confidence and performance. Matthew’s mother, Emily, shared:
“I just wanted to say a massive thank you for funding Matthew’s new wheelchair. He is so happy with the set-up and has already shown how much it has helped him during the England Juniors Pathway event.”
The new wheelchair allows Matthew to train consistently with his club and at Super League level and will help him reach his full potential. It also provides him with confidence, consistency and the opportunity to continue progressing in a sport he loves.
The CiaO Foundation is proud to support young people like Matthew, whose determination and resilience demonstrate what can be achieved when potential is given the opportunity to flourish.
“Matthew is an inspiration, not despite his challenges but because of the way he has met them with a quiet determination. Walking 100 km to help fund his own wheelchair says everything about who he is. He’s shown us that potential isn’t about the obstacles you face, it’s about what you’re willing to do to overcome them. CiaO are proud to have played a part in his journey and can’t wait to see where his determination takes him…”.
Nugmais Powesland, Charity Manager at CiaO says
