WESTCOUNTRY WHEELCHAIR RUGBY CLUB GETS ROCK SOLID BACKING
Rock Solid/VHB Groep are very proud to announce their sponsorship for the 2025/26 season of The West Country Hawks Wheelchair Rugby Club, a community sports club from Exeter. A sponsorship that will really enrich the lives of disabled people from across the Exeter & East Devon area.
Not only have Rock Solid sponsored new shirts and playing kit for the team, but the funding has also helped West Country Hawks Wheelchair Rugby club to establish a vital weekly Saturday morning training session in Exeter. This supplements the club’s existing Monday night sessions in Plymouth.
Amongst the newly recruited Hawks players is Royal Marine Commando turned Invictus Games athlete, Ray Lowrie. Ray fractured his ankle in three places on a military exercise in Norway & then endured a gruelling succession of operations, which sadly culminated in the amputation of his left leg. The former para-rower has thrown himself into his new sport, “The game's amazing. It's great to have that camaraderie, we feel like a team - or more family like, it's a good bunch.”
The club and Rock Solid have jointly released a video (Click on the video link) featuring players from the club, all of whom are beneficiaries of the new Exeter sessions. For some, the benefits have been profound – Charlie Radclyffe says joining the club has nurtured his soul, “I was injured 20 years ago and I hadn't really connected with other people like I now can through the Hawks. I love the physical and the tactical side of it, but it's the connections that are really nice.”
Jesse Evans, a Sales and Marketing consultant from Exmouth, noted other benefits to playing the sport. “Exercise is key for my health but also managing pain and mental health. That's where the wheelchair rugby has come in. The friendships and bonds are really strong, something which I haven't had before. Being surrounded by others with disabilities you are seen as equal - it's really refreshing.”
Cost is one of the major barriers to participation that people with disabilities face when it comes to participating in sport. Corporate sponsorship from the likes of Rock Solid is 100% vital. With our newly installed UK Head Offices close to Exeter, Rock Solid have been supporting community initiatives across the South West for a number of years now, both in Devon and in Cornwall.
Rock Solid UK Business Director Mark Wederell said: “We are truly proud to be involved with The West Country Hawks. Enabling disabled men and women from all backgrounds to have access to organised sporting activity, dynamic team spirit, improved mental and physical welfare opportunities, and the friendship and support of fellow players and coaches, is a goal that we as a company firmly stand behind. We wish The Hawks every success in the year ahead, and hope that this partnership can help encourage more people to take part in or support Wheelchair Rugby in The Southwest. We would also like to acknowledge the help and support of Mark and Lena Cowling from ML Transport for their assistance with the presentation in Crediton.
To find out more about The West Country Hawks Rugby Club and how you may be able to help or get involved, visit www.hawkswheelchairrugby.co.uk or call Joe Blake-Turner on 07799 888280 or email hawkswheelchairrugby@gmail.com.
