(Image: submitted)
A DAD of two from Menston, who hung up his full contact rugby boots after a broken leg and a broken jaw is proving it's never too late to chase a dream, after travelling to the other side of the world to represent his country at a Rugby World Cup.
Tim Swann, 54, born in Otley, but now living in Menston, has been selected to play for Great Britain Over 50s Tag Rugby squad and flew out to Coffs Harbour, Australia last weekend, where he will take on rugby heavyweights including Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
The big clash against the hosts, Australia, kicks off today (Friday, October 16) and it’s expected to be screened on YouTube where family and friends will be eagerly tuning in.
Rugby has been part of Tim's life since he was a young boy growing up in Otley, where he played for Otliensians Rugby Club through his childhood and teenage years, but in his late twenties he badly broke his leg during a match. As a jeweller who went on to set up his own business, Form Bespoke Jewellers, based in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, Tim decided the risks of full contact rugby were too great for a man who relies on his hands for his living, especially having also broken his jaw on the pitch in the past.
A cycling accident also left him with an unstable fracture in his spine after being run over, which resulted in major spinal fusion, nearly 10 years ago, something he still suffers from pain with today.
However, he couldn't stay away from the game for long and when a friend invited him to try touch rugby, Tim jumped at the chance, before moving on to tag rugby, the fast paced, non-contact version of the sport.
He now plays every Monday night with Leeds Vets at Yarnbury, and has earned his place on the international stage, and he also coaches his son’s team Otley Zebras U13’s.
Tim, who lives in Menston with his wife, Jo, and their sons Jake, 12, and Oscar, 7, said: "This all feels very surreal to me. Rugby has always been a huge part of my life but to be going to play in a World Cup at 54 years old is nothing I could ever have imagined, especially when after the accident I was ridiculously lucky to have come out of that with full use of my legs. I'm nervous but excited and am keen to show the kids you can still do big scary things, even at my age!"