Alix Popham

Alix Popham is a Welsh former professional rugby union player who made over 250 appearances in 13 years. He played internationally for the Wales national team, earning 33 caps, played in World Cups in 2003 and 2007 and was a 2008 Grand Slam winner.

Alix Popham retired from rugby in 2011, and in 2020 he was diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy and early onset dementia. Receiving the diagnosis on the phone during lockdown added to the trauma of the news.

Doctors have estimated that his brain had suffered up to 100,000 sub-concussions over the course of his 14-year professional career.

Alix has lost a lot of his memory from his playing days and when he sees a match on TV in which he played, he knows he played in it but has no recollection, no memory of the stadium, or the result.

Since his diagnosis, Alix Popham founded the charity Head For Change to raise money and awareness.

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More About Alix Popham

Alix Popham | Background

Alix Popham was born in Newport, Wales and started playing rugby when he was just four years old. By age seven it was clear he had a lot of talent and was destined to become a professional player. He signed for local team Newport RFC in 1998, where he played 89 times until moving to Leeds Tykes in 2002.

He went on to play for Llanelli Scarlets and then French team Brive, where he would end his career in 2011 due to injury.

Alix got his international debut for Wales in 2003 and went on to make 33 appearances.

Alix Popham | After Retirement

After retirement, Alix opened a property portfolio, running a successful property business for many years. Alix also worked in a consultancy capacity with medical firm Depuy Synthes, where he drew upon his elite knowledge to help advise practice in orthopaedic surgery.

Alix has combined his passion for health and fitness and his altruistic nature, helping to raise over £100,000 for charitable causes. Alix organised and took part in two long distance bike rides, including ‘The Battle to Brive’ which saw participants cycle 650 miles from Pontypridd, South Wales to Brive in the South of France. He has also taken part in Ride Across America, covering over 3,000 miles in a week, on three occasions, raising money for Asthma UK.

In 2018, Alix founded HUB XV, launching co-working hubs and business communities at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Ascot Racecourse and Twickenham Rugby stadium, utilising underused space in world class sports stadia.

Alix Popham | Diagnosis

In his 30s Alix was finding some day-to-day tasks confusing and difficult, he was developing anxiety, and was prone to aggressive outbursts which he couldn’t remember the following day.

But it was a series of events in 2019 that left Alix feeling that he needed to get help. He went on a bike ride – a trip he had taken hundreds of times – but he completely blacked out and didn’t know where he was or how to get home. Another incident involved setting fire to the kitchen while cooking.

Alix then went to his GP and went on to have MRI scans, DTI scans, meetings with doctors and neurologists, after which he got the diagnosis of probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy and early onset dementia. It is called ‘probable’ because it is only confirmed during a post-mortem but the signs are well known.

Wanting to know if he was alone in what he was experiencing, Alix reached out to those he had played alongside. He was shocked to find out that over 50% of them were also struggling, with some far worse than him.

Together with fellow rugby players Steve Thompson and Michael Lipman, Alix filed legal claims against the Rugby Football Union, the Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby for the injuries they sustained playing the game.

Alix Popham Welsh former professional rugby union player early dementia head injury inspirational speaker at Great British Speakers

Alix Popham | Head For Change

In 2021, Alix co-founded Head for Change, a charitable foundation pioneering positive change for brain health in sport and supporting ex-players who are affected by neurodegenerative disease as a result of their professional sporting career in football or rugby.

The driving force behind the charity is a trio of women who watched their relatives live with the illness: Melanie Bramwell-Popham, wife of former rugby union player Alix Popham, Judith Gates, wife of former Middlesbrough defender Bill Gates, and Dr Sally Tucker, whose father Bill, a former professional footballer, was diagnosed with CTE.

Alix Popham Founder Head for Change Welsh Rugby Player Head injury speaker at Great British Speakers

Alix Popham | The Big Rugby Swim

In 2023 Alix organised and took part in The Big Rugby Swim, which saw a team of Rugby Union players racing against a team of Rugby League players in a relay across the English Channel.

The event’s objective, whilst raising funds, is to raise the profile and awareness of Head for Change and the plans being made to protect players and the game of rugby. Sky Sports made a four-part documentary about the event.

Alix went from only being able to swim a few lengths to being able to swim the English Channel, a feat he is immensely proud of.

The teams that took part in the event were:

Rugby Union: Alix Popham (Captain), Ian Gough, Kieran Low, Carl Hayman, Matt Dwyer and Ifan Phillips with Coach, Dave Tonge (Heathwood Swimming) and Team Manager, Melanie Bramwell-Popham.

Rugby League: Mickii Edwards (Captain), Denis Betts, Jason Critchley, Mick Cassidy, Kev Brown and Cliff Eccles with Coach, Dee Harmer (Fish2Water), and Team Manager, Francis Maloney.