Hometown: Liverpool
Sport: Table tennis
Event: Men’s class 5
Games: Rio 2016
Jack was 10 years old when London won the Olympic and Paralympic bid in 2005. Playing table tennis in his local club in Widnes, Jack decided that he would aim to compete for ParalympicsGB at London 2012. He was invited to his first GB Development camp the following year and, although just missing out on selection for London 2012, was inspired by the atmosphere of the Games to continue playing, with his sights set on Rio.
Jack is the only player ever to win the Junior, Senior and Open British titles in the same year and competes in non-disabled table tennis at county level as well as competing with the GB Para team. In the run up to Rio 2016, Jack increased his experience in international competitions, notably representing Great Britain in the European and World Championships. In November 2015 he won a silver in the China Open, securing his qualification place for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Although disappointed to not progress beyond the group stages at Rio, Jack has continued to train hard – and has seen his work pay off, winning his first international singles gold with victory in the US Open in 2017. He is now aiming for a medal at Tokyo 2020.
Fun fact: A Liverpool fan, Jack has inspired his younger sister to take up table tennis, while his older brother designs computer games. Jack has also worked as an actor in the past, appearing as an extra in Grange Hill!
Jack is an ambassador for Get Set’s Travel to Tokyo pilot programme, launched in the autumn term of 2018. Other Travel to Tokyo ambassadors include Olympians Beth Tweddle MBE and Bianca Walkden and Paralympic cyclist Lora Fachie MBE. You can find out more about the programme, and join the journey at: www.getset.co.uk/travel-to-tokyo