Menston dad, 54, represents Great Britain at tag rugby World Cup

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

Tim Swann, 54, from Menston is competing for Great Britain's Over 50s tag rugby squad at a World Cup in Australia.

Tim Swann, 54, from Menston, has flown to Coffs Harbour, Australia to compete in a Rugby World Cup for the Great Britain Over 50s tag rugby squad. He will face rugby heavyweights including Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, with the opening match against Australia scheduled for Friday, October 16 and expected to be broadcast on YouTube.

Swann grew up in nearby Otley, where he played for Otliensians Rugby Club as a child and teenager. In his late twenties, he suffered a badly broken leg during a match and later broke his jaw on the pitch. As a jeweller who set up his own business, Form Bespoke Jewellers in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, he decided the risks of full contact rugby were incompatible with his profession, which relies on his hands. He also sustained an unstable spinal fracture in a cycling accident nearly ten years ago, for which he underwent major spinal fusion surgery.

However, he could not stay away from rugby entirely. When a friend invited him to try touch rugby, he accepted, and eventually progressed to tag rugby, the fast-paced non-contact version of the sport. At 54, he is now proving it is possible to pursue ambitious goals later in life.

Menston dad, 54, represents Great Britain at tag rugby World Cup — Image: Telegraph & Argus

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'You can still do big scary things': Menston dad's World Cup adventure at 54A DAD of two from Menston, who hung up his full contact rugby boots after a broken leg and a broken jaw is proving it's never too late to chase a dream, after travelling to the other side of the world to represent his country at a Rugby World Cup.Telegraph & Argus · 16 Oct, 11:22
'You can still do big scary things': Menston dad's World Cup adventure at 54A DAD of two from Menston, who hung up his full contact rugby boots after a broken leg and a broken jaw is proving it's never too late to chase a dream, after travelling to the other side of the world to represent his country at a Rugby World Cup.Wharfedale Observer · 16 Oct, 11:15

In this story: Tim Swann · Great Britain · Menston · Coffs Harbour · Australia · New Zealand · Ireland · Otley

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