Paralysed Luton osteopath returns to lacrosse coaching 3 years after breaking his neck

David Leach, who runs the Luton Osteopathic and Sports Injury Clinic, has joined the coaching staff of the Welsh men’s box programme ahead of the 2026 European Box Lacrosse Championships.

It’s an emotional return to the sport for David, who says that he couldn’t even watch the sport after his accident as it was “just too painful”.

He explained: “Despite my condition, I decided I wanted to embrace life and ultimately return to lacrosse. It’s a rough game and injuries are common. I was incredibly unlucky but, if you play this game at the top level, you can get a few knocks.”

He is now working weekly with the Welsh squad at its training base in Cardiff under head coach Daniel Thomas and lacrosse coordinator James Perrin.

Away from the field, David, 50, continues to run his clinic despite being unable to use his hands. He is aided by a team of carers, physios and osteopaths and clients include England cricketer Monty Panesar, Olympic triathlete Natalie Barnard and weightlifting champion, record breaker Imelda Flanagan and movie star Laura Haddock.

Before his accident, David enjoyed a high-level career in lacrosse, captaining both England and Wales and joining a top professional US team, the Colorado Mammoth.

He retired from the professional game as a player but continued to coach. In December 2022 he attended an England selection event, where fateful collision happened.

“I dived on the ball and, as I did, another player - who must have weighed 15 stone - ploughed into me and put his knee straight into my neck.

“I was knocked out and there were people all around me. My arms were flailing about but I couldn't feel them. It was a very strange sensation. I quickly realised that something bad had happened.”

He was bleeding near his spinal cord. If he’d arrived at the hospital much later, he’d likely be dead. He called his wife to say goodbye.

“She was freaking out. She was standing in the kitchen with her family, who were visiting from New Zealand. I was supposed to be coming home literally in, like, two hours. I didn't come home for a year.”

An intensive year of hospitalisation followed, and in late 2023, Leach returned home to his wife Louise and children Summer, 12 and Bella, 10.

He added “I used to be that guy you went to when you wanted some help to lift things and do things. I used to love taking my girls swimming and throwing them about in the pool. But now I can’t do that and it kills me.”

David has just enough hand movement to operate the controls of his electric wheelchair. He has a minibus and driver to transport him where he needs to go and remains active.

“I work full time, coach the girls’ football team and I am out there on the sidelines in all weather. I also coach lacrosse and have recently been asked by the Welsh lacrosse team to work with them.

“In many ways, my life is really hard. I am often in a lot of pain. But I am just not the sort of person who ever gives up.”