Halifax man honoured for wheelchair rugby work

63-year-old Malcom Kielty from Halifax has been honoured for his voluntary commitment to thousands of disabled people who've been able to enjoy sport at local, national and international level.

He is to receive an MBE for services to Wheelchair Rugby League as he was instrumental in introducing the sport to England.

Unable to play able bodied sport (having contracted polio at 16), at the age of 17 he formed the Bradshaw Junior Rugby League Club, becoming Club Secretary and Administrator.

In the early 1970s he established the Physically Handicapped, Able Bodied League, in which young disabled people played handball and water polo alongside their able bodied counterparts.

Since 2003 he has led the Calderdale Community Coaching Trust and is a Regional Rugby League Development Officer for Calderdale.

He has also raised thousands of pounds for the provision of specially adapted sports wheelchairs.