lee mears

Lee Mears, born on March 5, 1979, in Torquay, England, embarked on a rugby career at a young age, playing for Torquay RFC and attending Colston’s School. His early talent was evident through his age-grade representative honors, including an unbeaten tour to Australia with the England U18 Schools side and participation in the U21 World Cup in New Zealand. Mears joined the Bath Rugby Academy in 1997, making his first XV debut in a friendly against Saracens. His professional journey with Bath Rugby spanned 16 seasons, where he made 268 appearances, becoming a prominent figure in the club’s history.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mears achieved significant milestones in international rugby. He was selected for the 2004 Churchill Cup squad and later helped England win the 2005 Churchill Cup. His senior international debut for England came in November 2005 against Samoa, eventually earning 42 caps for his country. Mears represented England in two Rugby World Cups, in 2007 and 2011, and was part of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2009. He retired from international rugby in June 2012 and from all forms of rugby in February 2013, following a diagnosis of a heart condition.

Following his rugby retirement, Mears ventured into new professional endeavors. He co-founded the café chain Jika Jika with fellow former professional rugby player Matt Stevens, establishing locations in Bath and London Euston. Mears also pursued executive coaching, joining Preston Associates as a partner after completing a degree and a post-graduate training certificate. His work in executive coaching involves guiding senior leaders and teams, connecting lessons from sports with business principles. Additionally, Mears obtained qualifications as a pilot and actively supports charitable organizations such as the British Heart Foundation, Wooden Spoon, and the NSPCC.