James Simpson (wheelchair rugby league)

James Simpson MBE
Born	c.1985–1986 Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	Army
Years of service	c.2002/03–2009
Rank	Lance corporal
Unit	1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment
Battles / wars	War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Rugby league career
Playing information
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2012–2022 Leeds Rhinos Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2014–2022 England 31
Coaching information
Club Years Team Gms W D L W% 2023– Leeds Rhinos
Medals Wheelchair rugby league Representing   England World Cup 2017 France 2021 England

James Simpson is an English former soldier of the British Army and wheelchair rugby league player, and current wheelchair rugby league coach who is currently the head coach of Leeds Rhinos in the RFL Wheelchair Super League whom he spend his entire playing career. He also had an extensive international career representing the England national wheelchair rugby league team.

In the King's 2023 Birthday Honours he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to wheelchair rugby league football. ^[1]

Military Career

James Simpson was a soldier serving in the British Army's 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He joined the army at 17-years-old, which saw him fight in the United Kingdom's camping in Afghanistan. ^[2] During his second combat tour, in 2009, six years into his service, an IED detonated when Simpson was on routine patrol resulting in him losing both his legs. He was medically discharged, retiring as a Lance corporal. Following his discharge and recovery, he learnt to walk again using prosthetics after three years of physiotherapy. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6]}

Rugby League Career

Simpson (hidden in view) with the England national wheelchair rugby league team, celebrating their 2021 World Cup victory at Old Trafford in 2022

Club: Leeds Rhinos

Source: ^[6]

Player

James Simpson made his debut for Leeds Rhinos in 2012 and was one of the founding members of the club.

In 2017, he captained the club to their first Grand Final, losing 54–68 to Halifax Panthers. ^[7] The following year, he ended up of the other side of the score, winning the 2018 title beat the holders 54–44. ^{[8] [9]} In 2019 he won the League Leaders' Shield and Challenge Cup. ^[10] In 2021, the first season after the COVID-19 pandemic, Leeds retain the League Leaders' Shield and the Challenge Cup ^[11] in addition to beating Leyland Warriors 52–36 in the Grand Final to complete the first wheelchair treble. ^[12] The following year, Simpson lead his side back to Challenge Cup final, beating Catalans Dragons 48–34 to win the cup for a third year in a row. ^{[13] [14]}

On 13 January 2023, Simpson retired as a player from wheelchair rugby league; joining the coaching staff of Leeds Rhinos, the club in which he spent his entire career. ^{[5] [15] [16] [17] [18]}

Head Coach

In Simpson's first season as head coach, Leeds Rhinos again retained the League Leaders' Shield, and reached the Challenge Cup and Super League Grand Finals. However, in these finals, Leeds lost to Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors respectively. ^{[19] [20]} 2024, saw Simpson win his first Super League title as head coach, in addition to retaining the League Leaders' Shield. ^[21] Following the season he achieved his Level 3 Coaching Certificate, enabling him to coach in the professional game. ^[22]

International

Simpson (right) bringing out the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup trophy at the opening ceremony of the 2021 World Cup

James Simpson made his England debut in 2014. ^[15] He played in his first Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup at the 2017 tournament ^[23] where England finished runners-up losing to France in the final. ^[24] He again played in the 2021 tournament. ^[25] In England's final group game, he scored four tries in a 121–0 victory over Ireland. ^[26] England again reached the final, finishing the tournament as champions, beating France 28–24. ^[27] Simpson was also an ambassador for the tournament. ^[15]

Personal life

James Simpson supports Leeds Rhinos. ^[5]

Legacy

James Simpson has been described as the face of wheelchair rugby league. ^[28]

Honours

Leeds Rhinos

Source: ^[6]

(As player)

• Super League (and predecessor tournaments):
  • Champions (2): 2018, 2021
• Challenge Cup:
  • Champions (3): 2019, 2021, 2022
• League Leaders' Shield:
  • Champions (3): 2019, 2021, 2022

(As head coach)

• Super League:
  • Champions (1): 2024
• League Leaders' Shield:
  • Champions (2): 2023, 2024

England

• World Cup:
  • Champions (1): 2021
  • Runner-up (1): 2017
• European Championship:
  • Champions (1): 2015

Orders

• Order of the British Empire:
  • MBE: 2023 (services to wheelchair rugby league football)

References

1. "Rhinos Wheelchair stars named in King's Birthday honours". www.therhinos.co.uk.
2. https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/james-simpson-england-win-wheelchair-rugby-league-world-cup-367711
3. Tilley, Cath Brazier Craig (11 November 2022). "Rugby World Cup: James Simpson confident England wheelchair will win". www.forcesnews.com.
4. "Wheelchair rugby league changed my life, says James Simpson". Love Rugby League. 20 May 2020.
5. "James Simpson: England & Leeds Rhinos wheelchair rugby league player retires". BBC Sport. 13 January 2023.
6. "Player Profile". www.therhinos.co.uk.
7. "Halifax claim Wheelchair RL double". www.rugby-league.com.
8. "Wheelchair Rugby League Grand Final 2018 - Full Game - Halifax v Leeds". 3 October 2018 – via YouTube.
9. "Leeds Rhinos claim first-ever Grand Final title". www.rugby-league.com.
10. Hall, Ben (19 August 2019). "Rhinos Wheelchair Rugby League team win Challenge Cup".
11. "Halliwell's Five Tries Inspire Leeds To Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Triumph". The Sportsman. 15 August 2021.
12. "Leeds Rhinos win Wheelchair Super League Grand Final". www.rugby-league.com.
13. Hall, Ben (26 June 2022). "Rhinos slay Dragons to win third Wheelchair Challenge Cup in a row".
14. "University to host Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final". www.hull.ac.uk. 24 June 2022.
15. "James Simpson, England Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup winner, retires after 10 years in the sport". Sky Sports.
16. "James Simpson announces retirement from Rugby League". www.rugby-league.com.
17. "England's World Cup-winner James Simpson retires from wheelchair rugby league". Islington Gazette. 13 January 2023.
18. "Leeds and England wheelchair star James Simpson announces retirement". Love Rugby League. 13 January 2023.
19. "Catalans Dragons 66-20 Leeds Rhinos: French side clinch Wheelchair Challenge Cup final victory". Sky Sports.
20. "Wheelchair Super League Grand Final: Wigan Warriors beat Leeds Rhinos in thrilling final". BBC Sport. 15 October 2023.
21. "Leeds beat Halifax in Wheelchair Super League final". BBC Sport. 13 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
22. https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63248/coach-simpson-levelling-up
23. "England Wheelchair RL announce World Cup squad". Rugby Football League. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
24. "Des Guerriers d'Exception!" (in French). FFRXIII. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
25. "Rugby League World Cup 2021: Official wheelchair squads". National Rugby League. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
26. "Rugby League World Cup 2021". 28 November 2022. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
27. "England beat France to win Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup - reaction". BBC Sport. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
28. Sadler, Martyn (15 January 2023). "James Simpson – the face of Wheelchair Rugby League".