EXETER Touch Rugby player Matt Mahoney will represent England at May’s World Cup in Malaysia.

Mahoney has been named in his country’s men’s 35s squad for the top touch rugby competition.

He will be joined in Kuala Lumpur by his Exeter team-mate Alan Hubbleday, who has taken up an assistant coaching role after playing for England last year at the European Championships.

Getting the chance to play in the World Cup is significant achievement for Mahoney as he has come back not only from retirement from rugby union, but also from life-changing illness and injury.

He has had to learn to manage chronic pain and went through a period of several years, where returning to work and walking properly again was in doubt – let alone returning to crossing the whitewash in any form of the game.

A former back-row forward, he learned his rugby at Eastbourne RFC from minis through to the first XV and then went on to play for National League One club Preston Grasshoppers and for Sussex in the County Championship.

Unfortunately his career was effectively ended at the age of 21, when a serious shoulder injury with complications required multiple surgeries and nerve treatment and left him with limited day-to-day function and kept him out of the game for five years.

A brief comeback playing at Blaydon RFC, after taking up youth coaching at the club, ended with more injury and illness. This resulted in two hip operations before the age of 30 and ill health retirement from work with chronic pain and limited mobility.

But in 2012, Mahoney started playing golf after some taster sessions with the Disabled Golf Society. Walking a round of golf was not possible for some years, but using a buggy he could enjoy the fresh air again, meet new people and also feed that competitive side to improve sporting skills.

“I met some incredible people who are still friends and was lucky to play in some team competitions,” said Mahoney. “It was really good for my confidence and health, improving my balance and as I regained strength I added a lot of power to my slice.

“Managing chronic pain can be pretty tiring. It takes some learning and patience to see what your body can manage, when to listen to it and when to completely ignore it and push on. It isn’t an easy thing to figure out. It will hurt if I do things, and it will hurt if I don’t, so it’s a question of managing it and taking the good stuff while it’s on offer.”

Encouraged by his golf experience, Mahoney started at Exeter Touch Rugby three years ago. He was only able to work part-time and just came along for the chance to play a little social rugby and enjoy throwing a ball around again.

But with a mix of good fortune, stubbornness and patience, a lot of trial and error to test the limits, and some wonderful support, he was able to regain more function and stability, being able to return to work full time and take up the trusteeship of a local charity, as well as managing to play full games of touch rugby at Exeter.

“I never thought I would run again,” he said. “Playing for Exeter wasn’t even really a consideration when I moved here let alone getting the old carcass into shape to compete at a high level.

“I am delighted at being selected (for England). I guess it doesn’t matter what format of the game it is, there will always be excitement at the prospect of running out with an egg shaped ball against the likes of New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. I can’t wait.

“Every time I set foot on a pitch or get to pass a ball around is wonderful and something I am very grateful for. I don’t take walking for granted, let alone being able to play again.

“I train hard as you can’t switch off that competitive side but I also enjoy it immensely. I love that at a higher level of touch, the technical and tactical aspects of the game become important, and I really enjoy developing those.”

Exeter Touch Rugby train socially on a Monday night and Eagle Owls (the competitive team) squad training is on a Wednesday.

“It’s a fantastic and really friendly club,” said Mahoney. “And it’s a great way to meet people.” #

Exeter Touch Rugby Club is growing and caters for all abilities. Many players have gone on to play representative touch, and Exeter was represented at the National Championships last year by six players in different categories and two referees.

Mahoney is looking for sponsorship to help cover the costs associated with the World Cup particularly the increased medical costs to support him as he trains more in the build-up.

Touch is completely amateur and all the athletes are self-funded, if anyone is able to support Mahoney and are interested in having your company logo on his World Cup kit, England Touch profile and other promotions, please contact exetertouchrugbyclub@gmail.com.