Stevie Ward retires - concussions force ex-Leeds Rhinos captain to hang up his boots

Stevie Ward on the ball in his final game for Rhinos, against Hull last February. Picture by Tony Johnson.

The two-time Grand Final winner has not played since suffering a head injury in Rhinos’ Betfred Super League round one loss to Hull on February 2.

That followed a similar incident the previous month, in a pre-season game at Wigan Warriors and Ward was stood down indefinitely by the club at the end of February, on medical grounds.

The back-rower, whose proposed move to Toronto Wolfpack fell through when the Canadian side withdrew from Super League, has been out of contract since November.

Rhinos have paid tribute to Ward, who played in their 2012 and 2017 Grand Final victories and was a Challenge Cup winner five years ago.

The club also say they are working alongside researchers from Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds to investigate and measure the impact of collisions in the sport.

In a statement, Ward confirmed he is still suffering concussion symptoms.

"I struggle with migraines, dizziness, motion sickness, sensitivity to light and screens, short-term memory issues, slurred speech and an inability to exercise or do daily tasks without irritating my symptoms," he revealed.

But he stressed: "I love the game of rugby league; I am immensely proud to have competed on some of the biggest stages next to childhood heroes and test myself to the absolute limit while feeling the incredible buzz from the Leeds fans after being one myself as a youngster.

"I thank every player I have played with and against and I am especially grateful for the incredible friendships the sport has given me."

Ward, who had also battled shoulder and knee problems since his debut in 2012, believes the issue of concussion within the sport needs greater focus, particularly following his ex-teammate Rob Burrow’s motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis.

He added: “On the same day I was told about Rob, I was made club captain and I was immensely motivated to do 2020 for Rob and get the Rhinos back to lifting trophies for him.

"I am proud the boys were able to do this, but I feel my purpose for that year took an unexpected direction.

“It was no longer about lifting trophies for Rob. It is now about having a glimpse into the scary world of neurological impairment and being another voice to help bring about the changes needed.

"With the news about Rob and the current climate of rugby union players, I cannot help but ask the questions that need to be asked.

"I am left motivated to help get our sport to a place where it can ensure the players' long-term safety whilst keeping the beauty and grit of the game."

Insisting “more research is needed” into the impact of concussions on players’ health, Ward stressed: "The biggest question is what can be done to make things safer for our players now.

“We need to be more proactive and not rely on another generation of players to be guinea pigs for future research that will take years to give us the answers we need now."

Ward, who has been told his symptoms may never disappear, said he retires "with a dream of being able to live with day-to-day normality again soon”.

He is now focusing on his work with Mantality, which aims to provide assistance to those suffering from mental health problems.

"I have been able to test myself in one of the most competitive and brutal games there is," he said.

"And I have been able to use my platform to raise awareness on the importance of mental health within a macho sport, which historically stigmatised any such talk."

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