Wheelchair Rugby team giving Salisbury army Vet new lease of life
The Help for Heroes team has given Noel Howard a new outlook on life
Last updated 25th Oct 2023
The Help for Heroes wheelchair Rugby team is helping veterans of the Armed Forces in Salisbury get a new outlook on life.
Noel Howard, who served for 24 years before being medically discharged, has told Greatest Hits Radio about the benefits being part of the team has had on his life.
Noel says he became a ‘shadow of my former self’ after his injuries: “Sport was a massive part of the Armed Forces, and when I couldn’t take part, I really missed it.”
But having the chance to get back onto the Rugby pitch he says has been ‘fantastic’.
“Being able to go back in as what we call ‘smashing and bashing’ has been fantastic.
“It gets you back out with the guys and the girls, back into a team and back into a competitive state again.”
During his time in the Army, Noel served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps; 57 Ammunition Troop; 98 PC Sqn RLC (Postal and Courier Armed Forces, in Germany, as SQMS Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant); 3 Commando Royal Marines; 215 Signals; and was loaned to Headquarters Squadron for 4 Logistics Regiment, in Iraq, where he was injured working alongside US troops.
After eight operations on his shoulder and knee, Noel was medically discharged.
Safe and encouraging team environment
Noel told GHR that being part of a team is what veterans are used to.
The Help for Heroes team is led by Paul Jenkins, known as ‘Jenks’, who pushes the players to build a team and camaraderie in an environment that is safe and encourages people to attend and to open up to others.
And that environment, as well as getting on the pitch, allows Noel to leave the other stresses and worries of life behind.
“It allows you to park any stresses you’ve got, focus on the sport and release yourself to get out there and have fun.
“Since getting back in with Help for Heroes I haven’t looked back. It puts me back in with the ‘green team’, in with the military guys and girls.
“It gives me a goal and something to look forward to. I just love getting together with the team. My wife has commented on the massive difference she’s seen since I’ve become active again.”
A new 'career' experience
Being part of the Help for Heroes team also saw Noel involved in something very different to life in the army.
Noel was part of the photoshoot for Help for Heroes latest collection of Rugby shirts, which are sold on the charity’s website.
“Rather than bringing in (models), we used original people, rugby people, armed forces people.
“We were in training, we were dirty, hot and sweaty and it shows a true face to the sport.”
Despite being a proud Yorkshireman, Noel modelled the Wales Rugby shirt.
“It did it, begrudgingly, but it’s all for a good cause,” he said.
The money raised goes towards supporting former and current serving military personnel and their families.