Â鶹Éç

Raise Your Game: Nathan's represented Great Britain in sled hockey at the Paralympics. He's also a talented field athlete and has swam for Wales as a junior, how did it all start for him?

Helen Stephens: Nathan has always played sport. Even before his accident he played rugby and football for the local teams. When he had his accident - that's when it really started for Nathan. He didn't want to be put in a corner, that wasn't his personality.

Thank goodness, after his accident, his personality was still there. He was determined that he would find something that he wanted to do and that's where it came from.

Nathan was ten when he first went to play with the Cardiff Huskies. He used to live for Sunday evenings to come along so he could get out on the ice. He's tried all sorts of sports but has found his niche with sled hockey and athletics.

RYG: What exactly is sled hockey?

HS: Sled-hockey is a full-contact disabled sport which is exactly like ice hockey, apart from the fact that the athletes are on sleds on the ice. They have two sticks, one end has an ice pick on it to help them propel themselves across the ice, the other end is the stick for hitting the puck with. It's exactly the same as ice-hockey - what you see in a Devils match or whatever, with the fights and everything. The whole gamut of the game is the same.

RYG: There is an element of risk in all sports. Are you ever concerned for him playing a sport like sled-hockey?

HS: In the very early years, when he first started sled hockey, I was. When he started at ten he was playing against 16/17 stone men and that is very frightening to watch. I used to have my heart in my mouth. Now I don't worry. In fact Nathan has never been injured through sled hockey.

He's a veteran now. It sounds silly to say he's a veteran at the age of 18, but he's been playing it for eight years. He's so strong and quick, nobody can catch him on the ice, and it's usually him putting in hits, not anybody else.

RYG: To what extent are you involved in supporting Nathan's sporting career?

HS: I'm taxi driver and kit man. His father is equipment man - he makes his sleds and his throwing frames for athletics. I'm actually the GB team manager for sled-hockey, and his father is equipment manager. Athletics-wise we're volunteer drivers and drive the team wherever they need to go in Europe, or across the country.

RYG: Tell me about the personal sacrifices you have made as a parent in supporting Nathan's sporting career?

HS: I would never ever call it a sacrifice. It's been an absolute pleasure nurturing Nathan's talent. Any parent would support their child whether they are able-bodied or disabled and interested in something.

Having said that, we don't have any time for holidays. Our holidays are kept aside for athletics and sled hockey. Quite often, after we've done a full day's work, we have to get back in the car to go training in Hull, or travel to another competition.

I wouldn't have it any other way. We've been living this life for so long that we don't know any different. We love the life we have and we have made so many friends through Nathan's love of sport.

RYG: He's at UWIC in Cardiff now, how does he balance his training and college studies?

HS: It's a lot easier for him now because he's always trained at UWIC. Whereas in the past he was doing his GCSE's and his A levels, we would be back and forth to Cardiff three to four times a week, now he's living there and he takes himself to training.

He's always had to be disciplined with his school work. He'd get his work and do it so it was out of the way. He says that it's a lot easier for him now that he's actually in Cardiff.

RYG: Do you think sport has helped Nathan with his studies?

HS: It definitely has. Sport has given him so much discipline. He has had to be organised and has had to get his school work done on time because he is away nearly every weekend throughout the year. Being organised has helped with his academic side and helped him focus on what he wants to do.

RYG: What have been your proudest moments in Nathan's career?

HS: There are so many. I would say possibly the first time he pulled on a Welsh vest and competed in Athletics. He won three gold medals in his very first competition. When he was 16 years old he made his sled hockey debut for Great Britain against the Czech Republic and he scored a double hatrick.

That was a very proud moment. The opening ceremonies at the Olympics and the Paralympics in Turin were great. That's the pinnacle of any sportsman's career and he achieved it at such a young age. Let's hope there are many more to come.

RYG: Disability sport is so strong in Wales. Why do you think that is?

HS: I think it's because we are a small country and all of our athletes train together. When we go away, because we are a small team, it's like a family. They all support each other, and not just the disabled athletes.

We also have a good support network. Our disability sport officers do a fantastic job in getting children involved in disabled sport, from the very small right up until they're at elite level. I think we have a very good system which should be copied throughout the country.

RYG: And what would you say to other parents with sons and daughters that want to get involved?

HS: Just let them try. The biggest obstacle that children often face are the parents themselves, especially after a traumatic accident or if it's a child that has always been ill. You've just got to step away a little bit and allow them to try these things.

Sport can instil so much confidence in them and it's just lovely to see. Go to your disability sport officers, every borough has a Disability Sport Officer, and talk to your PE teachers in school. Nathan has always had great support from junior school through to comprehensive.

He has always had very understanding PE teachers that would allow him to find his own level and would never say 'no you can't do it'. Your child may never be an elite athlete, but if they can get enjoyment out of sport there is something out there for them.

RYG: Have there ever been times when Nathan's doubted himself?

HS: There's never been a time where he's doubted himself, but disability sport has a way of throwing obstacles in your path. He got classed up in his field event two days before he was due to compete in his first senior European Competition, which did throw him a bit. He was a bit daunted knowing that he was going into the next class up, which was full of really big men.

RYG: What happened?

HS: On the day of the competition he threw a personal best and broke the British senior record. Nobody has ever thrown as far before or since apart from Nathan. He's broken his own record three times since. He's got lots of confidence in himself.

RYG: Do you get nervous watching Nathan perform?

HS: I get very nervous - between periods of sled-hockey, when there's a lot depending on a competition, I tend to wander off and be physically sick (laughs).

RYG: At the time of the accident, what did you think Nathan's future would hold?

HS: At the time it was very hard to see past the initial accident. I remember thinking 'well, what sort of life is he going to lead?'. You asked me earlier what my proudest moment was. My proudest moment of all was when Nathan walked for the first time.

To actually see him stood, so proud and putting one foot in front of the other...I think everybody cried. Nathan doesn't class himself as disabled, as he says 'I can do more than a lot of people with two legs'. He's always said 'I am no different to what I've always been, apart from the fact I'm two foot shorter', and that's his attitude.