Robin Tarr

Robin Tarr is Paralympic Gold medal winner, former Wheelchair Rugby player and coach and current Head of Coaching Programmes for Wheelchair Rugby.

Having played rugby throughout his school days, Robin Tarr went on to follow the family tradition and became a coal miner. However, in 1981 a devastating road accident left him paralysed and dramatically change the course of his life.

In the months following the accident, Robin faced numerous life-threatening complications but his resilient spirt and perseverance helped him through the long road of recovery, coming to terms with paralysis and learning to adapt to a life confined to a wheelchair.

Robin Tarr was introduced to wheelchair rugby and in 1991 a Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Team was established and he was selected to go and represent his country in Toronto Canada.

He went on to have an illustrious career spanning two decades including three Paralympics (Athens 2004 as captain), three World championships and three European championships.

Robin Tarr shares his incredible journey in life from the depths of despair to the heights of success as a Keynote Speaker, as well as talking to young people in schools.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book Paralympian, former medal winning wheelchair rugby champion and inspirational speaker Robin Tarr for your next event.

Type Of Talent

KeynoteMotivationalOlympians/ParalympiansResilienceSpeaker

More About Robin Tarr

Robin Tarr | From Accident to Wheelchair Rugby

In 1981 Robin Tarr was involved in a devastating road traffic accident, he was thrown through a car window screen breaking his neck on impact and severing his spinal cord. Rob was rushed to a spinal unit in Sheffield and told the agonising news that “He would never walk again”.

During the next 9 months stay in hospital he faced numerous life-threatening complications but his resilient spirt and perseverance helped him through to the long road of recovery, coming to terms with paralysis and learning to adapt to a life confined to a wheelchair.

In 1973 a new sport was developed in Canada for cervical injuries called Murderball (later to be changed to Wheelchair Rugby). The seed grew and 10 years later a copy of the basic rules was sent over to England and a team came over from Canada to the Stoke Mandeville International Games to put on an exhibition match.

This was to be a turning point in Robin Tarr’s life; the hard-hitting team sport was just what he had been looking for, a game consisting of rugby, basketball and ice hockey rules.

Robin Tarr British Olympic Wheelchair Basketball player at Great British Speakers

Robin Tarr | Player to Coach

After 36 years in the sport Robin finally reached his coaching long term goal in assisting the Great Britain Team achieve a Gold Medal performance in the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020 and recently led the GB Low Point Squad to their first Gold at the World Games, Birmingham, Alabama 2022 and the GB Women’s Team to their first Gold at the Women’s Cup Paris 2023.

Rob retired from international sport in March 2005 to pursue new careers in Inspirational speaking, mentoring, disability access consultancy and coaching.

Rob cites his part in the Paralympic team at the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004 tournaments as his sporting highlights.

Robin Tarr British Olympic Wheelchair Basketball player speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Rob Tarr | Honours and Awards

Paralympic Gold Medal – The International Paralympic Committee, Aug 2021
The 1st Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Medal in Paralympic History

Mussabini Medal – U.K Sport, Dec 2021

Named after Sam Mussabini, who was considered to be the first professional coach in sport, the award celebrated the contribution of coaches of UK athletes and sports people who have achieved outstanding success on the world stage.

Low Point Wheelchair Rugby Coach at the 2022 World Games – Gold Medal
International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee

Women’s Cup Paris 2023
Coached GB women’s to victory

Post-Nominal letters PLY – INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE, Apr 2023
Certificate of Recognition

Hall of Fame – GBWR, May 2023

In 2023, Robin Tarr was added to the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Hall of Fame, joining an elite group of athletes who have made significant contributions to the sport. His name will be forever enshrined alongside other legendary players who have helped to shape and define wheelchair rugby.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Paralympian, former medal-winning wheelchair rugby champion and inspirational speaker Robin Tarr for your next event. Contact us.

Testimonials

I was privileged to be invited to join my TMK’s executive team for an evening of Wheelchair Rugby with Robin Tarr PLY. Rob did a fantastic job explaining the history of the sport and his own journey from concept all the way to Paralympic Gold. Rob is a humble and engaging speaker, very inspirational without any pompousness or pretence.

After the introduction, we proceeded to the rugby court where we were all given our wheelchairs and a safety briefing. Rob took us slowly through the basics and gradually ramped things up to us playing a game with most of the rules in place.

I felt particularly included, as someone with poor ball sense I’m often not very good at group sports but Wheelchair Rugby gives everyone a chance to be a contributor, whether you have upper body mobility/coordination or not. I also loved that it is a mixed gender sport.
Rob coached us professionally and with sincerity, it was clear how much he loves the sport and why he is a Gold Medal Paralympian. I cannot recommend this experience more highly.

Helga Smith, Market Change Analyst, Tokyo Marine

Rob Tarr brings a breath of fresh air to School Assemblies. He has a friendly, down to earth manner that immediately engages students whatever their age. From him you learn about the incredibly exciting world of wheelchair rugby; you learn about the world of the Paralympian, and the dedication, hard work and sheer determination that is required to progress and be successful. Pulling no punches, Rob will talk about why he is wheelchair-bound and the problems he confronts on a daily basis. However, what come through is a determination to succeed, and a willingness to face life’s ups and downs head-on.

Neil Kendrick Head Master
Carlton Le Willows Comprehensive

Nottingham Trent University delivers the oldest sports module in the UK, which addresses the area of Sports for People with a disability. Rob Tarr – ex GB Wheelchair Rugby Captain – has been an integral part of this programme for many years and has proved very popular with the students. He is reliable, genuine and presents in relaxed manner so the students gain an in-depth appreciation of the sport of Wheelchair Rugby and the range of contemporary issues surrounding it.

Any audience will be intrigued by the insight Rob develops into this exciting Paralympic Sports. Along the way he is also excellent at providing direct and indirect understanding into the challenges of living with his specific impairment through the social model of disability.

Doug Williamson, Nottingham Trent University.