Wikipedia

Tom Halliwell

Tom Halliwell OBE is an English wheelchair rugby league player who currently plays for Leeds Rhinos in RFL Wheelchair Super League and the England national wheelchair rugby league team whom he has captained since 2021.

Tom Halliwell
OBE
Personal information
Full nameThomas Edward Halliwell
Born1999–2000
Playing information
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
–c. 2012-2013 Oulton Invaders Juniors (Running)
c. 2012–2013– Leeds Rhinos
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015– England
Medals
Wheelchair rugby league
Representing  England
World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2017 France
Gold medal – first place 2021 England

In the King's 2023 Birthday Honours he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to wheelchair rugby league football.[1]

Background

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Tom Halliwell is an able-bodied wheelchair rugby league player. He originally played the running game at youth level but suffered a severe leg fracture, aged 13, while at Oulton Invaders.[2] Following initial recovery, but while still unable to play the running game, Halliwell took up wheelchair rugby league with Leeds Rhinos. He never returned to the running game, having established himself as part of the Leeds squad.[3][4]

Career

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Halliwell (back row; second right) with the England national wheelchair rugby league team, celebrating their 2021 World Cup victory at Old Trafford in 2022

Club

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Tom Halliwell was part of the Leeds squad which won their first ever national championship in 2018 and was named MVP.[5] He again was a key player in Leeds's 2021 Super League Grand Final victory against Layland Warriors.[6]

International

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Halliwell made his England debut aged 16 at the European Championship in 2015. England won the tournament and Halliwell was their top scorer with 88 points.[7][8] He represented England at the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in 2017[9] where England finished runners-up losing to France in the final.[10] Halliwell was announced as captain in June 2021 ahead of a friendly against Wales.[7] Halliwell scored three tries in the game winning 102–22.[11] His first World Cup as captain was in 2022, following the postponement of the 2021 tournament.[12] England finished the tournament as champions, beating France 28–24.[13] He played in England's 2023 international series wheelchair game against France.[14]

Honours

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Leeds

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England

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Orders

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References

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  1. ^ Flynn, Leanne (16 June 2023). "Rhinos Wheelchair stars named in King's Birthday honours".
  2. ^ "England Wheelchair rugby star taking inspiration from Luke Gale and Nathan Cleary". Love Rugby League. 18 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Tom Halliwell".
  4. ^ "Rugby League wheelchair World Cup winner delivers inclusivity session to students - News". Leeds Trinity University.
  5. ^ "Leeds Rhinos claim first-ever Grand Final title". Rugby-League.com. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Leeds Rhinos win Wheelchair Super League Grand Final". 19 September 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Tom Halliwell to lead England Wheelchair against Wales". www.rugby-league.com.
  8. ^ "Euro success for Rhinos 4". Spider-Y. Archived from the original on 8 December 2016.
  9. ^ "England Wheelchair RL announce World Cup squad". www.rugby-league.com.
  10. ^ "Des Guerriers d'Exception!". 29 July 2017.
  11. ^ "England 102 v 22 Wales". europeanrugbyleague.com.
  12. ^ "Rugby League World Cup 2021: Official wheelchair squads". National Rugby League. 3 October 2022.
  13. ^ "England beat France to win Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup - reaction". BBC Sport.
  14. ^ "Halliwell excited for Leeds homecoming". www.rugby-league.com.
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