Dutton, England Wheelchair stars recognised in King's Honours List
RLWLC2021 CEO Jon Dutton and four members of England’s Wheelchair World Cup winning team, including IRL 2022 Golden Boot winner Sebastian Bechara, have been recognised in the King’s Honours List.
Dutton received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his leading role in the delivery of the biggest, best and most inclusive tournament in the code’s history, while England captain Tom Halliwell was also awarded an OBE.
Bechara, team-mate James Simpson and coach Tom Coyd received an Member of the British Empire (MBE) award for their roles in England’s thrilling Wheelchair World Cup triumph at Manchester Central on November 18.
“It’s recognition for our team and our sport,” Coyd said. “To be recognised in this way alongside the traditional sports, it just keeps on growing the platform.”
The England Wheelchair team perform a lap of honour at Old Trafford (Getty Images)
RLWC2021 chair Simon Johnson said Dutton and his organising team worked tirelessly to deliver a magnificent World Cup, overcoming numerous challenges - most notably the Covid-19 pandemic which led to a 12-month postponement of the tournament.
Dutton devoted seven years to ensuring the success of the tournament and was also involved in RLWC2017 in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
RLWC2021 CEO Jon Dutton received an OBE in the King's Honours List (Getty Images)
“I am deeply humbled to be recognised in this way,” Dutton said. “The Rugby League World Cup has been a big part of my life and it was a huge privilege to lead such a talented team and board, who despite significant challenge and adversity remained determined to make a difference.
“We set out to tackle inequalities through providing opportunities and delivered impact on and off the field, and I am incredibly proud of the many life experiences, memories and impactful moments that the tournament created.
“I am very grateful to the RFL and wider rugby league community for their support in delivering such a momentous and successful World Cup.”
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Johnson, who is also RFL chair and an IRL board member, said it was a measure of the impact made by Wheelchair Rugby League during the World Cup that four members of the England squad have been included in the King’s Honours List.
England coach Tom Coyd MBE and captain Tom Halliwell OBE (Getty Images)
“It is a reward for the excellence they showed during the World Cup tournament – but also for the sacrifices they have made in their commitment to Wheelchair Rugby League over many years, including through the specific challenges of the pandemic,” he said.
“Tom Halliwell OBE and Seb Bechara MBE were outstanding in the Final against France, and throughout the tournament.
“Tom provided inspirational leadership of great maturity, in addition to scoring the crucial match-winning try, while Seb’s consistent brilliance was recognised with the Wheelchair Golden Boot award as the world’s leading player.
“James Simpson MBE was an official ambassador for RLWC2021 having embraced Wheelchair Rugby League for almost a decade following the life-changing injuries he suffered serving the country in Afghanistan, and performed that ambassadorial role with huge distinction.
James Simpson and Tom Halliwell celebrate England's World Cup win (Getty Images)
“Tom Coyd MBE has been an inspirational head coach for the group at a remarkably young age, and it is fitting that he now joins his father, Martin Coyd OBE, in being recognised – Martin having received his OBE nine years ago for his role in the early development of Wheelchair Rugby League and also in the lifting of the ban on our sport being played in the Armed Forces, and continuing to play a key role in the ongoing success story of the Wheelchair game, as well as at the Medway Dragons community club.”
Bechara, who won the IRL 2022 Wheelchair Golden Boot from England team-mate Jack Brown, and France’s Jérémy Bourson and Nicolas Clausells, reflected on how the impact of the sport after after losing part of his right leg in a motorcycle accident in 2012.
Seb Bechara and IRL chair Troy Grant with the Golden Boot (Bernard Platt)
“Who would have thought when I was lying in hospital after my accident that I would one day get an MBE,” he said. “I certainly never would have thought it could be possible, so it’s something that’s absolutely amazing, for me and my family.
“It shows my life now, after the accident, is really great. I’ve had some amazing opportunities, I’m really happy – and proud as well, of how I reacted. I didn’t let it stop me.
“I think back to 2015 when I had the chance to play for England. Even though my life was in France, I always felt English and proud to be English.
“There have been moments of doubt – it would have been easier playing to France, it would have been easier to make the training sessions, I wouldn’t have had to make the same sacrifice – and I might have won the World Cup with France in 2017.
“But I’ve never regretted it, and everything that happened last year with the World Cup, and now this – it’s absolutely incredible.”
Jillaroos players form a guard of honour for the England team (Getty Images)
Sue Taylor, the RFL Vice-President and Chair of the British Amateur Rugby League Association, was also awarded an MBE for her long-term service to the community game.
“Congratulations also to Sue Taylor, our RFL Vice President, for her MBE, which is further recognition for Community Rugby League," Johnson said.
“Sue was one of a number of women who were added to the sport’s Roll of Honour last year in recognition of the significant and often underappreciated contribution that women have made to Rugby League over almost 130 years, and Sue is the ultimate unsung hero, having devoted countless hours to the amateur game in Huddersfield and through the British Amateur Rugby League Association.”
