We were sad to hear about the passing of Cardiff Blue Dragons player Alexander “Alec” Martin, who lost his battle with cancer on the morning of December 11, aged 25.
Alec was an integral part of the Wheelchair Rugby League side at Cardiff. He played just three games but was the club’s top try scorer in their inaugural season with five and their top points scorer with 24 as he also scored two goals.
Hailing from the South East of England, Alec previously played Wheelchair Rugby League for Medway Dragons and Woodland Warriors.
Alec was diagnosed with dyspraxia when he was just five years old, then aged 10 he was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Then aged 11 came the biggest diagnosis – MPNST, a rare Cancer in his leg. He had chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy, and during all this he smiled and joked entertaining younger children on the ward.
But he didn’t stop there. He decided to give something back to the charities who had helped him and after raising thousands of pounds, his efforts won him the “Teen Hero Award” at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards in 2011 and the Medway Pride Award a year later. He was then an Olympic Torch carrier ahead of the 2012 Olympics. He was also a recipient of The Diana Award.
Alana Sargent, head coach of Cardiff Blue Dragons, said: “Alec has left a huge hole in the hearts of our club. He was central to our Wheelchair Team and the most amazing person who was a true leader, inspirational and it has been an honour and privilege to have not only known him but to have coached and played alongside him. We offer our heartfelt condolences to our team manager Karen (Alec’s mum) plus Dan (Alec’s dad) and Rick (Alec’s brother) who played alongside Alec in our first season in the Welsh Invitational League. He will be hugely missed.”
Stephen Jones, the head of Wheelchair Rugby League in Wales, said: “We’re all so sad that Alec has lost his long battle against cancer. He was an absolutely amazing person who gave his all to help others throughout his life. We’ll all miss seeing him at the WRL Invitational League matches.”
Our heartfelt condolences go out to all of his family and friends.
Alexander Martin 23/12/1997-11/12/2023.