Midge Hartley selected for Invictus Games
Saracens Wheelchair Rugby Club – in partnership with Allianz player, Paul 'Midge' Hartley has been selected to represent Team UK at the 2020 Invictus Games.
Hartley is part of a 65-strong squad that will head out to The Hague next May and take on teams from 18 other nations including the USA and Australia.
As well as wheelchair rugby, Hartley has also been selected in hand cycling, where he will take part in the Time Trial Criterium.
Hartley, who was diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) in 2007, first took up wheelchair rugby in November 2017.
His condition led to his discharge from the Royal Air Force in 2013 and he found that he became less active before trying out wheelchair rugby at an Invictus Games taster session.
“Playing wheelchair rugby has allowed me to regain my confidence and rediscover who I once was. This approach has been highly positive, and I now think more about what I can achieve, and how I can challenge my condition, rather than being defined by it.”
He has gone on to represent the UK Team at the Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida, participating in the Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball and Recumbent Cycling. He has also been selected to represent Scotland at Wheelchair Rugby League.
Hartley credits with Saracens Wheelchair Rugby Club with helping his progression in the sport, saying:
“With regards to my own performance, the backing Saracens and Allianz have provided cannot be emphasised enough. I have improved so much over the last year and the support provided has been a major contributor to all I have achieved this year.
“I have been very fortunate to have been allowed to use my club wheelchair outside of our weekly training sessions. This has allowed me to further enhance my own fitness and chair skills.”
“I have improved both physically and mentally and participating with Saracens Wheelchair Rugby Club has provided me with the opportunity to achieve my goals and hopefully inspire others.”
To find out more about Saracens Wheelchair Rugby Club – In Partnership with Allianz, head over to the Saracens Sport Foundation website: https://www.saracenssportfoundation.org/our-programmes/disability/saracens-wheelchair-rugby-club-in-partnership-with-allianz/
News
See all news
Saracens v Toulouse sold out at StoneX Stadium
Saracens can confirm that tickets for the hugely anticipated Investec Champions Cup clash against Stade Toulousain at StoneX Stadium are now completely SOLD OUT. European heavyweight Toulouse will visit North London in what promises to be a blockbuster occasion, with supporters snapping up all available general admission tickets well in advance of kick-off. For supporters […]
MATCH REPORT | Leicester Tigers 36-28 Saracens Men
Saracens Men suffered a dent to their PREM play-off hopes as they were beaten 36-28 by Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. In freezing cold conditions with ice being cleared from the pitch in the build up, it was the Tigers who brought the heat as they ensured that the Original Club of North […]
TEAM NEWS | Leicester Tigers v Saracens Men (PREM - Rd 9)
Fergus Burke is hoping to start the year on a high as Saracens travel to face Leicester Tigers in their first Gallagher PREM match up of 2026. The Scottish fly half starts in the ten shirt for the Original Club of North London as one of four changes made to the side that picked up […]
Partners
See all partners
