Former Rugby Player • Youth Violence Prevention Advocate
Wesley Owen Cunliffe
Turning lived experience into meaningful conversations that help young people, educators, parents, and communities better understand risk, resilience, and change.
INTRODUCTIONWesley Owen Cunliffe is a former rugby player and youth violence prevention advocate whose work is shaped by lived experience, reflection, and a commitment to helping others choose a different path.
Through school visits, community events, podcasts, workshops, and speaking engagements, Wesley shares a message that is honest, accessible, and deeply relevant to the realities many young people face today.
His approach is not sensational. It is human, grounded, and focused on awareness, prevention, and the possibility of lasting change.
A personal story with public impact.
SPEAKER
Powerful talks rooted in real experience
Wesley brings lived experience, honesty, and clarity to conversations around exploitation, youth violence, resilience, and positive change
FORMER RUGBY PLAYER
Sport as structure, discipline, and hope
His journey through rugby helped create a new path and now shapes how he speaks about identity, belonging, and opportunity.
ADVOCATE
A voice for prevention and early intervention
Wesley works to help young people, families, schools, and professionals better understand risk, harm, and the power of timely support.
SPEAKING
Sessions for schools, colleges, organisations, and community audiences.
APPROACH
Honest, calm, and built to connect.
Wesley’s message connects because it balances lived experience with reflection and responsibility. He speaks with empathy, directness, and a clear purpose.
This makes his work especially relevant for students, staff teams, parents, youth practitioners, safeguarding leads, charities, and local initiatives.
Featured In
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ITV News: From Knife Crime Victim to Youth Violence Prevention Advocate
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Cut To the Crime: Child Drug Dealer to Pro Rugby Player
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Rugby Saved Me From a Life Of Crime | WRU TV
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BBC News: Children In Need: How Being Stabbed Saved County Lines Teen
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Childhood Crime to Semi-Professional Rugby Player
“Wesley delivered a powerful and honest talk that truly resonated with our students. His willingness to share his lived experience alongside his journey through rugby created a meaningful conversation about choices, resilience, and the importance of early intervention.”
— Weston College
