Ed Howarth - Transtibial Amputee

Ed Howarth travels from Gunnedah NSW to APC Prosthetics to have his prosthesis made by David Howells. Following is a recent article from the Daily Telegraph.

Playing on with an artificial leg

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By Jon Geddes - September 04, 2008

WHEN Ed Howarth lost his leg just below the knee in a motorcycle accident at 15, people assumed his promising rugby career was over.

But they underestimated the determination of the courageous young forward who defied the odds by returning to the field 12 months later wearing an artificial leg.

On Saturday, the inspirational No.8 will continue his amazing sporting comeback as a key member of the Gunnedah Red Devils under-19s in their preliminary final against Barrabra in Narrabri.

"I just wanted to prove a point that no matter what you have wrong with you, just keep on trying, you can do it,'' Howarth said.

"I got into the Junior Paralympics for swimming for three months, but I didn't want to do swimming, I wanted to pursue my dream and come back to play rugby.''

While he could well have been diving into the pool with the Australian Paralympic squad in China this weekend, Howarth will instead be playing rugby in central north NSW.

Before the accident, which occurred in 2004 on the family property when Howarth was taking his brother to catch the school bus, Howarth had been selected in the NSW Country representative side.

"I love rugby to death, it's a great sport,'' Howarth said. But becoming a rugby forward with an artificial leg provided some special challenges for the 18-year-old greenkeeeper at the Gunnedah Golf Course.

"You can't use your toes, you can't use your ankle and you haven't got a strong calf muscle,'' he said.”But it's easy to adjust as soon as you get to learn. I want everyone to know they can play even if they have one leg or one arm.''
And don't worry, Howarth doesn't ask for any special favors when he pulls on his rugby boots, always giving as good as he gets.

Executive Officer of the NSW Country Rugby Union, Terry Woodward, watched Howarth play in a semi-final at Tamworth last weekend and initially didn't realize the mobile forward had an artificial leg.

"When you first see him it looks like he has a knee guard on,'' Woodward said.”He plays No.8 and doesn't shirk anything. He trucks the ball up, he tackles, he lifts in the lineout, he does everything.''

Having Howarth in their ranks has really benefited the Red Devils. "We are very fortunate to have someone like Ed in the club because it makes everyone realize how lucky they are,'' said club president Aaron Goddard.

"If something ever happens you can still go on and do great things. We have nothing but praise for him.''

Despite his difficulties, Goddard said Howarth had a fantastic attitude to the game. "For what he has been through it is incredible. With his rugby he just wants to be like everyone else - get out there and do it,'' he said.

"He is a solid bloke and just as good as any person on the field. It doesn't stop him apart from pulling up every now and then to fix the leg up.''

Goddard said everyone on the sideline was gob smacked, especially when they see him making big tackles and surging runs.