Jason Robinson is one of Britain’s most celebrated sporting figures and a highly sought-after motivational speaker. Best known as the first Black British man to captain the England rugby team, Jason built an extraordinary career that saw him become one of the few athletes to achieve elite success in both rugby league and rugby union. Over the course of his professional career, he scored an incredible 171 tries, won numerous domestic and international honours, and earned both an MBE and an OBE for his services to sport. Today, he continues to inspire audiences around the world through his powerful keynote speeches on resilience, leadership and social mobility.
Jason’s sporting journey began after his talent was spotted while playing for Hunslet Boys Club in Leeds. He went on to enjoy a hugely successful spell with Wigan, helping the club secure a Super League title, three Challenge Cup victories, three Regal Trophy wins, four Championships and four Premiership titles. He later joined Sale Sharks, where he captained the side and played a key role in their rise to become one of England’s leading clubs. During his time at Sale, he helped the team win the European Challenge Cup and the 2005 Guinness Premiership title, while making 159 appearances and scoring 248 points.
Internationally, Jason represented England, Great Britain and the British & Irish Lions, establishing himself as one of the most exciting players of his generation. He competed in three Rugby World Cups and famously scored England’s only try in the victorious 2003 Rugby World Cup Final. Across 51 appearances for England, he scored 28 tries and was appointed captain of the national team in 2004. His achievements on the field have been recognised with numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards, while his autobiography, Finding My Feet, offers a candid insight into his remarkable life and career.
What makes Jason such a compelling motivational speaker is the adversity he overcame to reach the pinnacle of professional sport. Raised in poverty in Leeds, he witnessed domestic abuse throughout his childhood, became the first member of his family to secure a job at the age of 16, and navigated life as the only Black member of his family. With no formal qualifications, training in his sister’s hand-me-down clothes and shoes, and not meeting his biological father until he was 36, Jason’s story is one of determination and perseverance. As the Founder of JR Talks and JR Sports Stars, he now shares lessons on overcoming obstacles, embracing opportunity and achieving success against the odds, inspiring audiences to realise their own potential regardless of their background. A seasoned motivational speaker, Jason Robinson has impressively earned a 9.4/10 exclusive rating in official event polls!
In April 2023, we sat down with Jason Robinson and conducted interviews discussing diversity in sport & inspiring future generations and how to best manage the pressures of elite sport. Watch our Exclusive Interviews with Jason Robinson.
