Rugby star’s inspirational journey from training ground catastrophe sees him honoured by the University of Leicester

A former Leicester Tigers rugby player who was paralysed in an England U21 training session has been honoured by the University of Leicester for helping others who have suffered similar catastrophic injuries through sport.

Matt Hampson OBE was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws during a graduation ceremony held at De Montfort Hall, in Leicester, today (Friday 17 January).

Matt sustained a life-changing spinal injury in 2005 that ended his sporting ambitions at the age of just 20. An up-and-coming rugby union prop, he was left paralysed from the neck down after a scrum collapsed during a training session with the England Under-21 squad.

Since his accident, which left him reliant on a mechanical ventilator to breathe, Matt has battled hard to live as normal a life as possible. Drawing on the passion, grit and steely determination that defined him as a player, he did not lament what he lost, but instead decided to embrace what he could still achieve. Matt has since become a mentor, inspirational speaker and advocate for disability support in Leicester and beyond.

In 2011, he established the Matt Hampson Foundation to help others who have suffered similar catastrophic injuries through sport.

The Matt Hampson Foundation provides practical and emotional support, helping individuals rebuild their lives. Matt is also heavily involved with running the Foundation’s Get Busy Living Centre, a state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre in Leicestershire which offers expert physiotherapy, specialist personal training, mentorship, advice and support to those with life-changing injuries.

Matt said: “It is a true honour to receive my doctorate from the University of Leicester. I feel this honour is not just recognition for the work I have personally done through my Foundation, it is also acknowledgement for the amazing and dedicated team who work at our very own Get Busy Living Centre, who are changing and empowering the disabled world.”

Matt delivers inspirational talks to schools, universities and businesses across the UK, sharing his powerful story of resilience and determination. His critically acclaimed book, Engage, which won a sports book of the year award, describes the circumstances surrounding his accident and his journey of recovery and rehabilitation.

An emerging talent in the world of rugby from a young age, Matt took up the sport as a five-year-old for Oakham, before joining Syston RFC when he was 12. He joined Leicester Tigers academy at the under 16 age group and was made an apprentice for the 2001/2 season. He also played for England in the Under-18 and Under-21 squads.

In recognition of his incredible contributions and achievements, Matt was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2021 New Year’s Honours.

President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “It is impossible to imagine what Matt went through in 2005. He was living out his dreams, excelling for Tigers and being touted as a future senior England rugby international. He had everything at his feet, and it was taken away from him in a split second.

“But, instead of wallowing in self-pity, Matt turned catastrophe into a personal triumph and has helped improve the lives of so many people in a meaningful way, while inspiring all of those who have met him. We are proud to welcome this remarkable Citizen of Change into the University of Leicester family.”