An ex-soldier from Bargoed has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s honours for services to wheelchair rugby.
Phil Davies, 50, started playing rugby at Bargoed RFC as a junior and joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers from school in 1977. He served in Northern Ireland and Germany before an accident playing rugby forced him to retire in 1982.
During a match for his regiment, Mr Davies broke his neck but undeterred, he continued playing the sport he loves by helping to develop a wheelchair version.
He formed the Welsh Wheelchair Rugby Association and coached the Great Britain team during the 2000 Paralympics in Australia.
Mr Davies said he was shocked when the letter came through the door.
He told the South Wales Echo: “Rugby has meant a lot to me. I’ve played since I was a boy and just want to get more people involved and interested in the sport.”
Also honoured with MBEs are Julia Styles and John Wynne, both from Blackwood.
Ms Styles is a former head of nursing at Blaeuau Gwent Local Health Board and was honoured for services to healthcare, while Mr Wynne is a Welsh translation and quality manager at HM Revenue and Customs.