Pete swaps NHS work for a shot at World Cup glory
Pete Lauder is taking a break from his NHS role - to play in the Rugby League World Cup.
The former RAF serviceman is part of the Scotland squad preparing for the wheelchair tournament. He and his team-mates will begin their campaign against the USA at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Friday, 4 November.
Pete was medically retired from the RAF in 2020 following a 23-year career in which he was promoted to sergeant.
A fortnight later he joined the NHS and now works as senior information analyst with the East of England Provider Collaborative, the body which oversees the commissioning of specialist mental health services in the area which is hosted by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.
He said: “I am very proud to have been selected, and I can’t wait to get started. To be part of the World Cup in which the men’s, women’s and disability teams are all competing at the same time is a really great moment.”
The fast-paced, all-action wheelchair competition involves five players on each side – with five substitutes allowed on at any time – and is played over 40 minutes per half.
Pete took up para-sports after being left with permanent nerve damage to his left leg following a long-term injury which resulted in him needing a full hip replacement. Like a number of other team-mates, he does not use a wheelchair in his day-to-day life.
Although born in Bridgend in Wales, Pete is a proud Scot and has already represented his country five times in rugby league. His international debut in June 2021 meant he followed in the footsteps of his father, Wilson Lauder, who played 18 times for Scotland’s rugby union side between 1969 and 1977.
“I know my dad is super proud of me,” said Pete. “I’m delighted to be able to represent my country just like he did, and he’s hoping to be able to get one of the games.”
Pete will be cheered on by his wife, Kelly, and their daughters, 17-year-old Tillye and 15-year-old Elyn.
All the games at the Rugby League World Cup are being on shown on the BBC.
This won’t be Pete’s first big tournament. He has previously competed for Team UK at the 2017 Warrior Games – the US forerunner to the Invictus Games championed by the Duke of Sussex, and the RAF Veteran Games. He’s also a member of GB’s paralympic sitting volleyball team.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Andy Burrows
Interim Deputy Head of Communications
E andy.burrows@cpft.nhs.uk
