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The brothers and their dad driving England’s World Cup bid
Tom Coyd, head coach of England’s wheelchair rugby league team, is preparing to face France in the World Cup final while also managing his younger brother Joe, one of his players. The family pairing helped England win the title four years ago, and they hope to repeat that result in Wollongong.
Joe has scored in every match of England’s run to the final, which included wins over Wales, the USA, Ireland and Australia. He is also shortlisted for the wheelchair category of the International Rugby League Golden Boot. Their father, Martin, is England’s general manager and helps maintain the team’s wheelchairs as well as shaping its culture. England and France have contested the last three finals, with France winning in 2013 and 2017 before England’s 28-24 victory in 2022.
In short
- Brothers Tom and Joe Coyd are aiming for another World Cup win together.
- England face France in their fourth successive final against each other.
- Their father Martin helps lead the team and support its wheelchair equipment.
Explained simply
Wheelchair rugby league is a version of rugby league played by athletes using sports wheelchairs. England’s national team is competing in the World Cup in Wollongong, Australia, where it has reached the final against France.
Tom Coyd coaches England, and his younger brother Joe plays for the team. Their father, Martin, is the team’s general manager, helping with its equipment and day-to-day organisation. Joe has scored in every match on England’s way to the final.
England and France have met in each of the last three finals. France won in 2013 and 2017, while England took the title in 2022 with a 28–24 win, making their latest rivalry a key part of the tournament’s history.