A FORMER rugby international whose promising career was cut short by injury has scored a success with his own business.

Russell Smith, from Newport, started his own gym with help from Venture Wales and is on target for a £120,000 turnover in his first year.

Mr Smith, 28, played for Wales under-16s and under-19s as well as Ebbw Vale RFC before dislocating both his knees in separate incidents and the lasting damage ended his hopes of playing rugby at the highest level.

But he set himself a new challenge and, with assistance from business support agency Venture Wales, he made his dream a reality by opening Exert in Abercarn.

Despite the difficult economic climate, Russell has attracted and retained almost 200 members. Exert has five employees with plans to employ more this year.

Exert’s members include ex-WBA Calzaghe-trained champion Gavin Rees and Bradley Pryce, both school friends of Mr Smith, who is also a professional cage fighter.

“I used to play rugby with Welsh internationals Ryan Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Dwayne Peel and Alex Popham, so you can imagine I was devastated when injury ended my rugby career.

“But I knew I had to pick myself up and move on with my life."

David Bolton, of Venture Wales, helped him to devise a business plan, and make key contacts, as well as provide general management, accounting, and marketing training and advice.

For more information about Venture Wales please contact tel: 0845 0453 150; or visit the website at: www.venturewales.com