Grant was 15 years old when he had his accident. It was 1977, and he was playing a school interhouse game. Amped up, he reckoned he saw an opportunity to take the ball and charged into a ruck. Next thing he knew he was lying in the mud, unable to move, hear, or feel, as the other players ran off. 

Opportunities for people in wheelchairs back then were not what they are now, and doctors had given Grant a life expectancy of about 10 years. For a decade or so, the injury seemed to present a full-stop. Nonetheless, he took opportunities where he saw them. He got into mouth painting, working hard to overcome a perceived lack of natural ability, becoming a member of the international association, and, in 2017, he was elected to the board. He was an early participant in wheelchair rugby, known then as murderball, selected for the first Wheel Blacks team, appointed captain and eventually coached the side to a gold medal at Athens Paralympics 2004. Grant’s a medal-winning shooter, an experienced public speaker and contributes to myriad sports administrations and community organisations. He claims to have a terrible sense of humour and a no-nonsense approach to grandparenting. If he ever gets free time, he enjoys fishing, classic cars and stamps. 

Grant says that quite apart from the practical support of the Rugby Foundation, the greatest gift he’s received has been the chance to contribute to the national treasure that is rugby, and belong to its family. In his immensely rich and full life, that camaraderie is something he holds very close to his heart.

Article added: Tuesday 31 October 2023