A specially-created rugby skills festival for disabled children and adults in North Wales hosted by top players has proved such a success that it could form the basis of a new training programme, organisers have said.
Through our partnership work with RGC we have been working with the Welsh Rugby Union to build community engagement in the game by regularly hosting highly popular pre-match skills for young fans ahead of RGC's home ties at the Parc Eirias stadium in Colwyn Bay.
Now we've joined former international and current players from the RGC Women's team to hold an inclusive rugby festival specifically designed to help disabled youngsters join the fun and give rugby a go for the first time.
An initial session held before RGC's recent game against Bridgend saw an indoor area of the stadium split into sections with modified games, a sensory area, inflatable cages, an obstacle course and a kicking challenge area. Participants then joined the team’s guard of honour to cheer out the players onto the pitch.
The festival proved so popular it could now form the blueprint for more inclusive sessions after it was hailed a great success by all involved.
Rachel Taylor of the Welsh Rugby Union, said: “We invited a number of community partners to this event after some previous engagement work in Wrexham and Colwyn bay areas. We would like to thank those who made the effort to attend and in particular those carers or support workers who provided additional support throughout the day.
“We were joined by RGC academy players as well as Welsh international and Barbarian Elen Evans and current Welsh International Jess Kavanagh Williams in delivering sessions. We were also incredibly lucky on the day to receive support from Tom Rogers, Disability Sport Wales Officer who provided the Wheelchairs as well as his experience and knowledge. Our Inclusive rugby day was a great event and we will look to facilitate more inclusive rugby events for all ages as we move into 2018.”
Stephen Stewart, Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “We are incredibly proud of the work we do in North Wales. This session in particular allowed us to open up the rugby pitch to those who perhaps thought they weren’t a good fit for it or struggled with their confidence because of a disability.
“Everybody had a great time at the session, including the coaches and we’re keen to roll out a full programme of skills sessions for a more inclusive audience. I’d like to say thank you to RGC and WRU for working with us on this and for making their players accessible to the wider community.“