Joe Coyd feels like a kid at Christmas as he counts down the hours to being part of England wheelchair side’s big World Cup kick-off.
His country’s most-capped player, he lines up as they take on Australia tonight in the sold-out London Copper Box Arena. For the first time, the wheelchair World Cup takes place alongside the men’s and women’s events and it’s been years in the making. Kent-born Coyd, 25, has been playing since the age of ten.
Speaking to the Mirror last night, he said: “It’s been a while getting here. There’s a couple who have played longer than me but it's a pretty special journey to get to this point as a group and as a sport. It’s amazing. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve, not knowing whether to go to bed because I know it’ll come quicker and it’ll be Christmas or stay up because it’s so exciting thinking about it! It’s been five years since the last World Cup when we lost in the final and that was my second World Cup final loss. I’m 100 per cent certain we can change that now.”
And it’s a real family affair: older brother Tom is England coach while dad Martin - such an integral influence in growing the game - is general manager. As one of two non-disabled players allowed in the side, Coyd said: “It’s amazing. And I can’t think of any other sport where it happens with family like this. It’s probably a one in a billion chance. Me and my brother are incredibly close away from rugby anyway and we try and keep it as professional as we can when it comes to this.
“With my dad here as well, it’s great to be able to share all of this together. The whole squad can’t wait to get started and show everyone what wheelchair rugby league’s all about.”
Fast, furious and, at times, brutal, wheelchair rugby league is an eye-catching sport which demands great levels of strength and skill. England's game is being broadcast live on BBC2 (7.30pm) following the Ireland v Spain opener.
