'Wheelchair rugby rebuilt my life after car crash'

Adam Simmons broke his neck in 2003

A wheelchair rugby coach from Plymouth has credited the sport with rebuilding his life following a serious car crash.

Adam Simmons, coach and chairman of the Plymouth-based West Country Hawks, broke his neck after falling asleep at the wheel in 2003.

"It was late at night, I think I fell asleep at the wheel, and woke up two weeks later in Derriford and broke my neck," he said.

But four years later he discovered his new hobby, which he said gave him confidence, as well as a new career.

Mr Simmons added: "My life has gone in a completely different avenue to where it was, I worked for the local supermarket at the time.

"Afterwards, I went to Plymouth University, did a law degree, I taught law for a few years and now I work for Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby's National governing body as their competitions manager so it's been an interesting ride."

The wheelchair rugby coach now has a national tournament to prepare for with his team, which will be held at the Plymouth Life Centre on Saturday and Sunday.

The Hawks will compete in league two of the competition.

'Going to be great'

Mr Simmons said: "It's very rare that we have a national wheelchair rugby tournament down in Plymouth.

"It's the biggest tournament that we run for our calendar, 20 teams across the two days with lots of players, lot's of people coming down, it's going to be great."

The Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby 5s or WR5s, is open to anyone with a permanent physical disability or impairment that prevents them from playing running rugby.

Games get under way at 09:00 BST and run until 16:00 with free entrance to all spectators.