Three weeks after helping the triumphant England team lift the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Manchester, Dartford athlete Lewis King has been presented with a Dartfordian Award by Dartford Borough Council for his services to the community and Wheelchair Rugby.
Lewis received his award from Deputy Leader Chris Shippam at a ceremony attended by his family and friends at the home of Dartford Valley Rugby Club last Friday (9th December).
England beat France 28-24 in front of record crowd of 5,000 to become world champions last month. England trailed 14-12 at the interval but Temple Hill resident Lewis King scored early in the second half to put them 16-14 in front. France never went ahead again and the home side became World Champions.
Lewis began his wheelchair rugby at the Dartford-based Argonauts club and the Deputy Leader paid tribute to the amazing local club that provides sporting opportunities to so many people.
Cllr Shippam said: “Lewis and his family are such modest and down-to-earth people but it is clear that he has put huge effort into becoming a world class wheelchair athlete and his proud family have supported him all the way.
“Our local Argonauts club played an important part in his early journey to World Cup glory and it was a particular pleasure to present him with the award at the home of another great local club. Lewis was generous with his time to all the young players here who wanted to meet him. He is a true hero and a fantastic role model. He has helped raise the visibility of the sport and introduce it to a generation of new players. The whole community are proud of him.”