Record-breaking former rugby player, Gareth Thomas is one of the most recognisable figures to come from the sport thanks to his achievements both on and off the pitch. Outside of the game, Gareth has become an icon for diversity in sports, thanks to his work as an LGBT+ and mental health advocate. Voted as the Most Influential Gay Person in the UK on The Independent on Sunday’s Pink List 2010, Gareth has brought much-needed attention to issues surrounding the male-dominated sport. As a speaker, Gareth expands on his experiences as a top-class rugby player and an HIV-positive celebrity, empowering others to embrace their true selves and destigmatise mental health.
Best known for his rugby achievements, Gareth was an integral part of the Wales national team from 1995 until 2007. Throughout his career, Gareth repeatedly set and broke records, from being one of only seven players to score four tries in one match to remaining the third-highest try scorer for Wales, over a decade after his retirement, Gareth dominated the pitch as a player. Overall, he gained 100 caps for Wales and was named captain in the 2007 Six Nations. Equally impressive in his club career, Gareth represented a number of teams including Bridgend, Cardiff RFC and Cardiff Blues. For a period of three years, Gareth played for the French side, Toulouse and led them to win the Heineken Cup in 2005, a highlight of his playing days.
Despite such success on the pitch, Gareth battled his own demons, plagued by the secret of his sexuality. Coming out to the world as gay in 2009, Gareth was the first openly gay rugby union player and was later nominated as Stonewall’s Hero of the Year in 2010 for his bravery. However, having lived with such a secret for the duration of his life and marriage, Gareth struggled with his mental health and was led to depression and feel suicidal. In 2019 he announced he was HIV positive, in doing so raised essential awareness for the disease amongst men. Since, Gareth has been an active advocate for greater mental health and sexual health support, allowing him to become a Doctor of Science at the Queen Mary University London.
Most recently, Gareth has remained a prominent sporting figure and regular media personality, appearing on celebrity specials like Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing on Ice, as well as being the subject of the BBC’s Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me. Detailing his personal journey to happiness and health, Gareth published his autobiography, Proud, and is a sought-after speaker on the circuit, booked to discuss diversity, mental health, inclusion and acceptance.
