Brogan Evans (right) in action for Salford Red Devils Wales rugby league international Brogan Evans thought her dreams had come true when she signed for Women's Super League side Wigan Warriors 18 months ago. But sport, as it often does, struck the cruellest of blows when the forward suffered a career-threatening injury just a few games into the season. After coming through surgery to reconstruct her knee, further complications emerged in her spine and Evans admits it is "highly unlikely" she will ever return to the running game. "I was crushed, I can't express what a massive part of my life rugby was," the 29-year-old said. "I was in hospital all over the new year [2025] and I can't express how lost I felt, then I saw a poster to give wheelchair rugby a go." After just a couple of training sessions, Evans was invited into the Wales camp and is now set to make her international rugby league wheelchair debut in Saturday's Celtic Cup. The annual competition sees Wales take on reigning champions Ireland and Scotland at Cardiff Metropolitan University (11:00 BST). Evans will actually make a bit of history as she will become the first player to win a senior international cap in more than one major rugby league discipline. "It's all happened so fast, it's been a bit of a whirlwind," she said. "I know rugby, the game in essence is the same, what I lack is chair control. I have been training so hard ahead of Celtic, hiring sports halls two or three times a week in prep. I don't want to make a fool of myself or let my team-mates down." But Wales head coach Alan Caron has no qualms in including Evans in his squad. "Brogan's work-rate in the build-up to this tournament has been second to none. She's been putting in extra sessions to improve her chair skills and she scored a well-worked try for Salford last weekend," Caron said. "Her ball skills are already there of course, and the fact she won multiple awards in the women's game a couple of years ago just proves what she can accomplish. I know she'll grip this opportunity with both hands." Brogan Evans played rugby league for Wales against England at Headingley in 2023 Evans said it was an emotional transition from running to wheelchair rugby and admits to shedding a few tears in her first session with Wales. "As fun as it was, there is a real possibility that one day I won't be able to just stand up from the wheelchair after a game, and that was daunting and terrifying," she said. "I was convinced my life would be over but, through this, I have met the most incredible people. "One of my favourite Welsh team-mates is paralysed and his life is incredible. He is the most abled and least disabled person I have ever met. His life gives me hope about my future. "I'm actually okay about the whole thing now, whether I end up in a chair permanently or whether I don't, there is a place for me. A new rugby family." While Evans' initial dream of competing at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup may be over, she still hopes to play at a major tournament, and even one day compete at the Paralympics Games "in one sport or another". Jodie Boyd-Ward has represented Wales, Ireland and England in wheelchair rugby league Evans is part of Wales' 10-player mixed squad and she will not be the only one to break records on Saturday. Jodie Boyd-Ward will become the sport's most capped player when she leads Wales out at Archers Arena. The 32-year-old is currently on 44 international appearances, level with Welshman Harry Jones. "It truly is an honour to be asked to captain Wales for the Celtic Cup, especially as it's an opportunity to lead the squad out and look to reclaim the trophy," Boyd-Ward said. "Last year, I knew after an amazing tour to the US, that I needed to take some time out after not taking a break for the whole of my wheelchair rugby league career. "Now I'm back and feeling better than ever, I'm looking forward to getting stuck in with the team and also seeing how both Scotland and Ireland have continued their development, as I know we have at Wales." Wales' World Cup captain from 2022, Stuart Williams, is named as vice-captain. The 40-year-old, who is Wales' record international try scorer with 66, returns to the side after missing last year's Wales matches. Wales Celtic Cup squad:Lee Sargent (Cardiff Blue Dragons/Hereford Harriers), Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos), Jess Booth, Jonathan Gill, Jakub Wasieczko, Stuart Williams (all North Wales Crusaders), Brogan Evans (North Wales Crusaders/Salford Red Devils), Alex Powell (Torfaen Tigers/Hereford Harriers), Scott Trigg-Turner, Mark Williams (both Torfaen Tigers/Wigan Warriors).
A wheelchair warrior - Evans finds new place in rugby
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Brogan Evans Makes Transition to Wheelchair Rugby After Career-Threatening Injury"
Bbc News
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Brogan Evans, a rugby league international from Wales, faced a life-altering challenge when she suffered a severe injury shortly after joining the Women's Super League side Wigan Warriors. After undergoing knee surgery, Evans encountered complications affecting her spine, leading her to accept that a return to running rugby was highly unlikely. The 29-year-old expressed the profound impact rugby had on her life, describing her feelings of loss and despair during her recovery. However, a turn of events occurred when she discovered wheelchair rugby through a poster while in the hospital. Motivated by the opportunity to continue her passion for the sport, she began training and quickly earned a spot in the Wales wheelchair rugby camp, where she is set to make her international debut in the upcoming Celtic Cup, marking a significant milestone as the first player to earn senior caps in multiple rugby league disciplines.
Evans's journey into wheelchair rugby has been both emotional and transformative. Despite the daunting prospect of adapting to a new form of the sport, she has embraced the challenge with determination, dedicating herself to improving her chair control and skills. Her commitment has not gone unnoticed, as Wales head coach Alan Caron praised her work ethic and performance leading up to the tournament. Evans shared that her initial experiences in wheelchair rugby were bittersweet, filled with moments of vulnerability as she confronted the reality of her situation. Yet, she has found hope and inspiration in her new teammates, one of whom has a remarkable outlook on life despite being paralyzed. While her dreams of competing in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup may have shifted, Evans remains optimistic about her future in sports, expressing aspirations to compete at the Paralympic Games. Alongside Evans, the Wales squad will also feature Jodie Boyd-Ward, who is set to become the most capped player in wheelchair rugby league history, highlighting the growth and strength of the sport in Wales.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article centers around Brogan Evans, a Welsh rugby player who has transitioned from traditional rugby to wheelchair rugby following a severe injury. The narrative illustrates her journey from despair after a career-threatening injury to finding new purpose in wheelchair rugby. This personal story highlights themes of resilience, adaptation, and the evolving nature of sports.
Purpose Behind the Article
The narrative aims to inspire readers by showcasing Evans' determination and ability to overcome adversity. It serves to highlight not only her personal journey but also the inclusivity of sports, particularly wheelchair rugby. The article encourages a broader acceptance of adaptive sports and the athletes who participate in them, promoting the idea that challenges can lead to new opportunities.
Public Perception and Sentiment
The article is likely intended to foster a positive perception of both Brogan Evans and wheelchair rugby. By sharing her story of triumph over adversity, the piece promotes empathy and support for athletes facing similar challenges. It may also serve to elevate the profile of wheelchair rugby and encourage more individuals to engage with adaptive sports.
Omissions and Hidden Aspects
There does not appear to be any significant omissions in the article. It focuses on Evans' achievements and her transition to wheelchair rugby, without delving into potential systemic issues within sports regarding inclusivity or support for athletes with disabilities. The article remains largely celebratory, which may gloss over the ongoing challenges faced by athletes in adaptive sports.
Manipulative Elements
While the article is largely uplifting, it can be argued that it employs a narrative structure that could be seen as somewhat manipulative. By focusing on the inspirational arc of Evans' journey, it may unintentionally downplay the serious nature of her injuries and the broader issues within sports accessibility. However, the overall tone remains positive and motivational.
Truthfulness of the Content
The article appears to be factual, detailing Evans' experiences and achievements within the context of rugby. The inclusion of quotes from Evans and Wales head coach Alan Caron adds credibility to the story. The events described are plausible and align with the known challenges faced by athletes with disabilities.
Societal Impact
The piece can contribute to changing societal perceptions about disability in sports, potentially encouraging greater participation in adaptive sports. It may also lead to increased support for initiatives that promote inclusivity in athletics, positively influencing community engagement and awareness.
Target Audience
This article is likely to resonate with multiple communities, particularly those interested in sports, disabilities, and personal triumph stories. It appeals to individuals who value resilience and hope, as well as supporters of women's sports.
Economic and Market Relevance
While the article may not have a direct impact on financial markets, it could influence sponsorships and funding for adaptive sports organizations. The visibility it provides for wheelchair rugby could attract sponsors interested in promoting inclusivity, thereby impacting market dynamics in sports marketing.
Wider Context and Relevance
The story relates to ongoing discussions about inclusivity in sports and the celebration of athletes who overcome challenges. It connects to contemporary themes of resilience and mental health, which are increasingly relevant in today's society.
Artificial Intelligence Involvement
There is no direct evidence to suggest that artificial intelligence was used in writing this article. However, AI tools could have been employed in editing or optimizing the content for readability and engagement. If AI were involved, it might have influenced the tone to be more motivational and structured to capture audience interest effectively.
Conclusion on Reliability
Overall, the article is reliable and presents a heartwarming narrative that is both factual and inspirational. It successfully highlights Brogan Evans' journey while promoting the values of perseverance and inclusion in sports.