An ex-soldier from Bargoed has received his MBE for services to wheelchair rugby.
Phil Davies, 51, collected his honour last week from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace after being given the award in the New Year’s honours list.
He was then welcomed as a guest of Caerphilly MP Wayne David to the House of Commons.
Mr Davies 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.
Labour MP Mr David met with Mr Davies, his wife, Lorraine, and two sons, Matthew and Andrew, to congratulate him on his honour.
He said “I was delighted to be able to welcome Paul Davies and his family to
Parliament. For many years Mr Davies has been doing excellent work in coaching, organising competitions and promoting the sport of wheelchair rugby.
“It was a real pleasure to be able to meet with him, his wife and their sons and to be able to give them lunch and to add my congratulations in person for his well deserved honour.”
As well as having lunch with Mr David, during their time at the House of Commons Mr Davies and his family were taken by their local MP on a tour of Parliament.