'A dream come true': Physiotherapist to take part in Olympic Games in Paris

A Cardiff and Vale UHB physiotherapist says it’s a “dream come true” to be chosen to referee at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

Ben Breakspear, who works as a Health Disability Activity Practitioner, will officiate in the Rugby Sevens tournament at Stade de France from 24-30 July.

The 26-year-old will be part of a team of 12 referees taking charge of the matches. The group will meet up for a training camp in Portugal before travelling to the French capital later this month.

He said: “Growing up, I always dreamt of being a part of the Olympic Games. I was fortunate enough to go to London 2012 as a spectator where I got a feel for how special the atmosphere was.

“Then to get that email to say I’m going to be a part of it in Paris… I don’t think it’s actually sunk in yet. I think I’m still processing it.”

Ben, from Abercynon, said he first “picked up the whistle” when he was 16 years old after being encouraged by his Head of PE in secondary school.

“I stopped playing and properly committed to refereeing when I was 18 – and from there I progressed really quickly. I was in the Welsh Premiership within 15 months,” he said.

Since then Ben has officiated the World Seven Series, the Commonwealth Games, the Under 20s Six Nations, Under 20s World Cup, as well as a couple of Tier 2 internationals. In May last year he was handed his debut in the United Rugby Championship in Edinburgh, closely followed by the derby between the Ospreys and the Dragons.

He has been fortunate enough to work alongside some of the biggest names in rugby refereeing, including Nigel Owens, Ben O’Keefe and Wayne Barnes.

“Just being in camps with them, and being able to pull on their experiences, is invaluable especially as a youngster coming through,” he said. “Sometimes it takes one of those mature heads to settle you down and give you some guidance.”

As a Health Disability Activity Practitioner for Cardiff and Vale UHB, it’s Ben’s job to identify and encourage disabled people to take up sport and remove some of the barriers to accessing them.

He works alongside Disability Sport Wales and the two local authorities to give people greater opportunities to exercise more frequently – and even cross over to more elite levels of competition.

“We look to identify people who could go on to represent Wales in para games, the Special Olympics and events like that,” he explained. “It’s a very rewarding job, and we have plenty of success stories.

“My line manager, Huw, has been very supportive in allowing me to juggle my job, my refereeing and also my role as a retained firefighter which I’ve done for several years. He has been instrumental in allowing me to get an optimal work-life balance, which takes away the additional pressures of life on and off the field.

“Strong support networks are crucial in high-performance sport, and without his support and understanding, none of this would have been possible.” 

Ben said his ultimate goal is to referee a Six Nations game and take part in the Rugby World Cup. “I can die a happy man then,” he joked.