A teenage rugby league player who is 70 per cent deaf and has bounced back from two career threatening injuries is proving to be an inspiration to others.
Ryan Owen is a promising young prop forward in the Warrington Wolves U18 team who is destined for great things in the game of rugby league. 
As a child he was diagnosed as being 70% deaf and at 13 doctors recommended he stopped playing the game he loved.
However, using former Wigan star Barrie McDermott, who lost his sight in one eye after an air gun accident as his inspiration, Ryan decided that his deafness wouldn’t hold him back and now has junior international caps to his name and is still pushing himself to achieve his dream – to be a Warrington Wolves 1st team player.
Ryan’s advice for people with disabilities, who want to get involved in sport but have doubts about whether they can take part or not, is “don’t be soft, get stuck in”.
Ryan shows on and off the pitch that he certainly isn’t soft and simply to see him near a rugby pitch again after two horrific injuries is testament to his fortitude.
Last season he suffered an horrific injury during a game, competing for a low ball, in which his skull was shattered and his eye socket pushed almost into his brain.
Fortunately medical staff identified the complexity of the injury which prevented it from causing further damage. He underwent a six hour operation and had a metal plate fitted in the front of his skull which means that he can play the game he loves again.
All this came after having been out for nine months with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that often sees lesser players hang their boots up for good.
Ryan is able to continue to play through the encouragement and support of his friends, family and coaches.
Wigan based Sports kit manufacturers Optimum have designed and fabricated a scrum cap specifically for him with additional padding around the plate and forehead as well as adjustments to accommodate his hearing aids.
For Optimum owner Peter Moran, it was something he wanted to support and both himself and the staff have been hugely accommodating in their support.
Gary Chambers, Warrington Wolves U18 coach, praised Ryan, saying: “He’s an outstanding player. His biggest attributes are that he’s tough and damned honest.
He’s a pleasure to coach and the lads love him being around; he’s pretty inspirational to all of them. You combine that with his skill level and his drive and he’s a quite a formidable package.”
Warrington Wolves would like to thank Optimum and all of their staff for their support. Optimum provide a wide range of rugby clothing and protection for players of all ages, including boots, teamwear, training and protective clothing as well as base-layer garments and gloves. More information can be found at http://www.optimumsport.com
Picture shows Ryan Owen in modified head guard
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
