Welshpool Paralympian James Roberts MBE will receive an honorary doctorate for sporting excellence from Coventry University.

Gold medallist and Coventry graduate James Roberts will be presented with the honour from the university at a ceremony on Tuesday, 16 July.

The Powys athlete competed as part of the Paralympics GB Wheelchair Rugby Team which won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and was presented with an MBE in 2022 for services to wheelchair rugby.

On his latest honour, he said: “I’m absolutely shocked to be given an Honorary Doctorate but it’s a huge honour and it means so much coming from Coventry University which I’ve got such a connection to.”

 

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It was after James’ first year at Coventry University that his life changed, when he returned home to work with the family business over the summer of 2007.

After contracting bacterial meningitis he was forced to undergo a double amputation and spent around two-and-a-half years in hospital.

“I was determined to come back to Coventry when I’d recovered. I’ve always thought this was such a brilliant place, arriving from the Welsh borders it was such a change of pace coming here and everybody was so helpful and encouraging when I was ill and when I returned to study.”

James returned to Coventry University to complete his degree in Architectural Design Technology, graduating in 2013 with first-class honours, but as a keen rugby player prior to his amputation he was also looking to continue his sporting career.

Having been introduced to wheelchair rugby as part of his recovery, he took inspiration from Team GB at the 2012 Paralympic Games and received support from Coventry University’s Sports Scholarship Programme to get into the Team GB wheelchair Rugby Development Squad.

James said: “Wheelchair rugby is a completely different sport to rugby - obviously there is some crossover with developing spatial awareness but I had to work really, really hard to be able to compete at the level required at a Paralympics.  

“I wasn’t a natural and you’re using totally different muscles. When we won the Gold for Paralympics GB it felt like a huge relief, there had been so much uncertainty because of Covid and I knew this would be my final Games, it just felt like the best possible way to bow out.

“I’m so happy to be given this award - it would be strange coming from any other university.”