A passionate rugby player who suffered brain damage and severe vision loss after being hit by a car while riding his bike believes he could soon become a World Cup champion.
Jak Powles, 35, plays for the Port Talbot Panthers and will compete in the International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament starting next week in Spain.
“It’s incredible to be back on the rugby field after everything I’ve faced,” Jak said. “And having the chance to participate in a World Cup feels unreal.”
When he was 15, Jak spent five-and-a-half months in the hospital after a car struck him while he was biking to school. His family revealed that he came close to death and had to relearn how to walk and talk.
As a teenager, Jak played rugby for Brynteg Comprehensive School in Bridgend. He also earned an Under 15’s cap for Wales’ rugby league team and tried out for Great Britain’s team in St Helens.
“Jak was an excellent rugby player who loved the game. When it was taken from him twenty years ago, we never thought he would play again,” his dad, Carl, shared. “But seven years ago, we started Port Talbot Panthers, and it has been incredibly beneficial for both Jak and me.”
Carl now plays rugby with his son and describes his role on the field as being “Jak’s eyes.” He explained, “I act as a facilitator.” He can catch the ball and pass it to Jak, who then runs into contact.
However, due to Jak’s brain injury, he only gets “cwtch tackled,” meaning he goes down and releases the ball. “It works well,” he added. Carl mentioned that the type of rugby they play requires teams to have a mix of abilities.
“We have mainstream players alongside those with disabilities. In our team, we have players with cerebral palsy and amputees, but Jak is our only player who is visually impaired.”
The fourth International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament, also known as the mixed ability World Cup, will kick off on June 23 in Pamplona, Spain.
This tournament began 10 years ago in Bradford in 2015 and has grown significantly since then. A total of 32 teams from 22 countries will compete, including four teams from Wales.
The Swansea Gladiators and Llanelli Warriors, both of which reached the semi-finals in the last international tournament held in Cork in 2022, will compete alongside the Port Talbot Panthers in the men’s division. Meanwhile, Merched Cymru will participate in the women’s tournament. The finals are scheduled for June 27, with over 70 matches planned.
