Gloucester Rugby stalwart and former England centre, Mark Atkinson, has made the difficult decision to retire from professional rugby after sustaining a serious knee injury. The announcement comes as a significant blow to both Atkinson and the Gloucester club, marking the end of an era for the esteemed player.
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Atkinson, who has been an integral part of Gloucester Rugby for over a decade, encountered a major setback early in the 2022/23 season, sidelining him for the entirety of the campaign. Despite his relentless efforts to make a comeback, including three appearances in the Gallagher Premiership this season, Atkinson has ultimately opted to retire based on medical advice.
Joining Gloucester in 2014 from Bedford Blues, Atkinson’s impact on the pitch has been remarkable, amassing 168 appearances for the club. His contributions were not only confined to the domestic stage, as he earned recognition at the international level with appearances for the Barbarians and England.
In recognition of his distinguished service, Atkinson was granted a testimonial year, celebrating his unwavering commitment to Gloucester Rugby. While bidding farewell to competitive play, the 34-year-old remains dedicated to the club, transitioning into matchday and commercial team roles.
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Reflecting on his decision, Atkinson expressed the challenges of retiring from a sport he holds dear. “The decision to retire from a sport I love has been a very difficult one,” he shared. “I felt optimistic at the start of the season that I was in a good place with my knee, but it became apparent quite quickly that a full recovery wasn’t on the cards.”
Prioritizing his family, particularly his young daughter Sydney, Atkinson acknowledged the impact his continued playing career could have on his personal life. “Like many players who make this decision, my priority is my family and being able to run around with my young daughter, Sydney,” he explained. “Following medical advice, continuing my playing career had the potential to impact that and so for that reason it was, in the end, straightforward.”
Expressing gratitude to his teammates and the Gloucester Rugby community, Atkinson highlighted the camaraderie and support he experienced throughout his journey. “I want to take this opportunity to thank my teammates who I’ve played with over my 10 years at Kingsholm,” he remarked. “I’ve had many highs and some pretty low lows during that time and my teammates have been there for all of it. I’m very grateful to them.”
As Mark Atkinson bids farewell to the rugby pitch, his legacy and contributions to Gloucester Rugby will be remembered with fondness and admiration.
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