Glasgow wheelchair rugby trailblazer

392. Adam Mould

Adam Mould from Glasgow set-up the Panthers Rugby club after he was diagnosed with limb girdle muscular dystrophy. In wheelchair rugby he found a sport that allowed him to participate equally, relieve his frustrations and rebuild his self-esteem. The first wheelchair rugby league team of its kind in Scotland, it has challenged perceptions of wheelchair sport by encouraging able-bodied people to play alongside people who need wheelchairs. The league has changed the lives of over 1,000 people and led to the spread of the sport throughout Scotland with two more clubs being formed since then.

Adam coaches the wheelchair 7s and was also a player in the Scottish national league team until 2015. Adam started playing in 2012 after being inspired by the manager of the first ever Scotland team coach, Adrian Kennedy, after seeing the team play at the first ever four nations held in hull in 2012. A firm believer in the sport’s power to change lives simply through team spirit, he regularly sees new members change their perceptions to believing that they’re not just stuck in a wheelchair but that, regardless of their circumstances, they can achieve anything.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

“With the Glasgow Panthers, Adam has made a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of people who use wheelchairs and wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance to experience the team spirit and confidence he found in rugby. By bringing disabled and able-bodied players together in one team he is challenging perceptions of wheelchair sport. Adam has created an incredible legacy and I am delighted to recognise him as the UK’s 392nd Point of Light.”

Scotland Office Minister Lord Dunlop said:

“It was an enormous privilege to meet Adam and his team mates today. He is a remarkable man with an indomitable spirit. It is right that his achievements are recognised and applauded not only by the Scottish rugby family but throughout the UK.”

Adam said:

“It is an honour and a privilege to receive this award. It goes to show that, whether disabled or not, anyone can change lives – even if it’s just one.”

On top of all this, Adam is an active fundraiser and volunteer for Muscular Dystrophy UK. He has helped raise thousands of pounds for the charity over the years. Adam has just taken on a new role with the charity, as a peer support volunteer, giving up his free time to offer advice and support to others with living with a muscle-wasting condition. He adds this award to being named Sport Scotland Young Person’s coach in 2013 and carried the Olympic torch in Edinburgh in 2012.