Have a go:

Regular training:

Llantrisant
Barry

Keith Jones (Founder) (1.5)

I've been around for years. I started the Cardiff Pirates in 1989, and I am Vice Chairman. I was a member of the G.B. Team that introduced the game into the Paralympic Games in 1996. My biggest moment so far has been playing for GB at the 2000 Sidney Olympics. I'm pretty old now and I have retired from competition, but I've still got plenty left in me and I still train with the Pirates Team.

Mike Spence (Coach) (3.0)

I’m an incomplete tetra at C6, acquired August 1990 as a result of road traffic accident. I was introduced to rugby 1991 while at Rookwood hospital Cardiff. The Pirates used to train in the gym at the hospital, and I started training while there; I played in the Nationals that year. I have played for the Pirates ever since. Can’t remember when I took over the coaching role, but it seems like forever. The swansong of my international career was the Millennium Paralympic Games in Sydney 2000, a fantastic event, rugby’s first real representation at the Paralympic Games and a springboard for rugby in Britain. I retired from the national team after the games.

Paul Jenkins (Assistant Coach) (0.5)

I've also been around for years. I started playing in 1990 and I am the Treasurer of the club. I was also a member of the G.B. Team that introduced the game into the Paralympic Games in 1996. I have retired from competition, but I still train with the Pirates Team.
I have represented. The Pirates, The Bandits, Great Britain, and competed at the Paralympics.
(And I’m still the quickest 0.5 in the club) - Editors comments: apart from Jamie and Gary

David Durston (0.5)

I broke my neck in 1999 diving into a swimming pool while on a family holiday in France. I was always a keen sportsman and as soon as I was up I started to look for sports that I could do as a paralysed man. I have tried tennis, skiing, sky-diving, and recently sailing. I started playing wheelchair rugby in 2001 to get fitter, stronger and to help me become more independent; now I'm addicted to the sport!

Jamie Evans (0.5)

I suffered a c5 spinal injury at 17 when diving into a pool on holiday. I heard about rugby through adverts and posters in and around the spinal unit, I had always had a love for sport and after being told that rugby was for tetras I knew it was something I wanted to do. I attended a development session in Newport and have continued to train with the Pirates whenever I can. I really enjoy it and it feels good to be back playing and competing at a sport. I enjoy the fitness side of it and it helps me in everyday life. I also enjoy the social side of it as well and you get to meet others who are in the same position as you.

Gareth Stokes (0.5)

I have been playing wheelchair rugby since 1989. One of the highlights was when I was part of the Great Britain wheelchair rugby team that won gold in the world development games in Stoke Mandeville in 1998. I also played for Great Britain in a triangular tournament in Belgium in which we played against Germany and Belgium. As one of the founder members of the pirates I’m proud to see the pirates still competing after a few players have retired. And with the newer players starting we should soon be back at the top level again.

Dave Rhodes (3.0)

I've recently started to train and play with the team again after a short spell in the wilderness. I have previously toured the USA with the GB squad, and only marginally missed out on a place to go to Athens.

Jon Nutmam (Legal Adviser) (1.5)

Playing Career: Playing for about 15 years, in which time, I have been part of the Pirates "double", League and National Champions team. I had a time in the GB Squad and was capped for GB on several occasions, traveling to the USA with GB and I was part of the GB team that got Gold at the World Championships in the late 1990's. I play for fitness, competition and for the team spirit that exists with the Pirates. Rugby and participation in sport has motivated me to succeed in other areas of life; fitness breeds health, confidence and independence.

Richard Vowles. Club Secretary (2.0)

I broke my neck 7 years ago playing rugby. I boxed for Wales for over 11 years. At the time of my injury I was a professional boxer. I trained hard all my life. After having my injury, I turned to beer and partying, I still try to have a go now and again, but now thought it was time to try another sport. I am the start of the new Pirates era, I am really enjoying training and having a bit of banter with the lads.

Josie Pearson. Chairperson (1.5)

What can I say; I’m the rose amongst all these thorns. "I've been playing since November 2005 – I picked up the basics pretty quickly. I'm still pretty new to the game and feel confused and nervous half the time but I love it! It's a real adrenaline rush. “I think it's a brilliant sport – I went to one training session and fell in love with it. The guys were really welcoming and I never felt singled out just because I am a girl. In fact it’s like having a load of Big brothers playing with the Pirates. "I like the fact that wheelchair rugby is a mixed sport – it brings a different feel to the game. The blokes don't bat an eyelid that you're a girl – they take no prisoners when they're trying to get the ball! The sport is growing phenomenally fast but we still need more girls and more publicity – come along and see a game and have a go!"

Gary Poppleton (1.5R)

I ‘m one of the Pirates latest recruits, I was introduced to the game by a friend (Jamie) and I rely enjoy it. Training leaves me a bit knackered but that’s the only way to get fit.

Adam Simmons (2.0R)

I started with the Pirates in March 2007, the team has made me really welcome and my fitness has improved no end in the first couple of weeks. I can’t wait to get my own playing chair then things will really start to improve.

Dai Williams (2.5)

I got involved with the game after trying it at a demonstration in Cardiff, I used to play wheelchair basketball, but this is something else! It’s a real mans sport with the added benefit of a good looking woman in our team.

Rob Davies (0.5)

I recently started to train with the Pirates having been talked into trying the sport by Richard Vowles. I was playing table tennis before that but I really needed a sport with some oomph! Now I’m hooked the game is mad but exciting and I can’t wait to play in my first league game.

David Antony (2.5)

I got involved with the game after trying it at a demonstration Portalbot. Four of the Pirates came down and I was hooked on the game. It takes a bit of getting used to because when your not fit the game moves quite fast, however I’ll be training more from now on and when I get my own chair the sky’s the limit. (Look out GB.)