Nathan Collins (wheelchair rugby league)

Nathan Collins
Personal information
Born2000-2001
Swillington, West Yorkshire, England
Playing information
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2011– Leeds Rhinos
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2017– England
Medals
Wheelchair rugby league
Representing  England
World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2017 France
Gold medal – first place 2021 England

Nathan Collins 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.

Background

Nathan Collins is a disabled wheelchair rugby league player. He was born with dwarfism. His sporting journey began in 2010, aged 10, with wheelchair basketball before transferring to rugby six months later.[1] Outside of sport, Collins works for Leeds City Council.[2]

Career

Collins (front row; third left) with the England national wheelchair rugby league team, celebrating their 2021 World Cup victory at Old Trafford in 2022

Club

Nathan Collins joined Leeds Rhinos in 2011, aged 10.[3] He was part of the Leeds squad which won their first ever national championship in 2018.[4] He again was a key player in Leeds's 2021 Super League Grand Final victory against Leyland Warriors.[5] At the Wheelchair Rugby League Awards he was named as the 2022 Young Player of the Year.[6]

International

Collins made his England debut aged 16 at the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in 2017[1][7] where England finished runners-up losing to France in the final.[8] He again played in the 2021 tournament,[9] where England finished the tournament as champions, beating France 28–24.[10] He played in England's 2023 international series wheelchair game against France.[11]

Honours

Leeds

England

Individual

  • Wheelchair Rugby League Awards
    • Young Player of the Year: 2022

References

  1. ^ a b "England wheelchair star Nathan Collins chasing crowning glory of game-changing World Cup". Yorkshire Post. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Nathan's home fixture shows Leeds is top of the league for sport". Leeds City Council. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Nathan Collins". Leeds Rhinos Foundation. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Leeds Rhinos claim first-ever Grand Final title". Rugby Football League. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Leeds Rhinos win Wheelchair Super League Grand Final". Rugby Football League. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  6. ^ "World Cup winner Hawkins takes Wheelchair Rugby League Player of the Year Award". Inside the games. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  7. ^ "England Wheelchair RL announce World Cup squad". Rugby Football League. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Des Guerriers d'Exception!" (in French). FFRXIII. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Rugby League World Cup 2021: Official wheelchair squads". National Rugby League. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  10. ^ "England beat France to win Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup - reaction". BBC Sport. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Halliwell excited for Leeds homecoming". Rugby Football League. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.