A TEENAGE rugby player who was left partially paralysed by a tackle walked back on to the pitch at the weekend to present his teammates with the super league crown.
James Barker, 14, suffered a stroke that paralysed the entire left side of his body after he was knocked unconscious during a collision whilst playing for Chelmsford Rhinos U15s, a youth team from Chelmsford Rugby Club.
But despite spending two months in hospital, James proudly handed the Super League trophy to his teammates when Rhinos beat Aylesford 38-5 at Chelmsford Rugby Club in Timsons Lane on Sunday.
James, a Felsted School pupil, said: "It's great to be back. With the help and support of my physiotherapist I am going to school five days a week now.
"I clashed heads with a teammate when we went in for the same tackle and my neck went right back and I was knocked out."
James of Billericay was taken to Broomfield Hospital where he was discharged with concussion.
However, in the early hours of the following morning he woke up to find that he could not move the left side of his body.
James was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where he was told he had suffered a full stroke. After months recovering, James is almost back to his usual self and is enjoying socialising with friends.
He added: "I went to my first party since my accident on Saturday night and am really hoping that I can go snowboarding on the school trip and a rugby tour at the beginning of May."
Debra Glover, 46, is the coach of the Chelmsford Rhinos and set up the U15 Super League as her team performed so well they needed a more challenging competition.
The league involves rugby teams from neighbouring counties and the Chelmsford Rhinos won every single game they played in during the season, including the final match on Sunday, in which they secured the Super League crown by cruising to a 33-5 victory against Aylesford Bulls.
Mrs Glover said: "The team are over the moon that James is recovering so well and they are delighted that he presented them with the league title.
"He's been part of the team so long and they've really rallied around him – they're a great bunch of lads."
James lives with his dad Darren, who works in banking, mum Julia, and twin brothers Cameron and Marcus, both eight.
Mrs Barker, a full time mum, said: "It's been really scary. When James had his stroke it was 4am and we woke up to find him crawling across the floor.
"He'd kinked a blood vessel in his neck when he had the accident which caused the stroke. He has done so well and his teammates have been so supportive.
"When he was in hospital they came to visit on numerous occasions.
"At one point nine or ten of them came in and took over the hospital restaurant – they've helped him so much."
Alex Gilham, 15, James' classmate and a fellow player from Ingatestone, said: "James has really inspired the team to do well for him.
"I was there when the accident happened and we were worried as we didn't know what the outcome would be but we visited him lots.
"We don't want him to feel left out and it's great that he's been able to join in the fun today."
Joe Risney, 15, from Colchester Royal Grammar School also plays for the Chelmsford Rhinos.
Clutching an ice pack to his neck, he added: "We've missed James and it's great he's recovering so well."
Rugby report page 69
