Through the Saracens Sport Foundation’s Project Rugby programme, we have seen a huge growth in Mixed Ability rugby in the past 12 months across Hertfordshire and North London.
Hertford RFC are the latest grassroots rugby club to adopt mixed ability rugby aimed as players with various learning difficulties and physical disabilities.
We have worked with Live a Little, a specialist day care service for adults with special needs, who have embraced project rugby in its entirety, bringing between five to six players to training sessions on a regular basis. All the players have received team shirts and have been invited to play in a mixed ability festival at Fullerians RFC on Saturday 30 November.
Our favourite story so far is of that of a new Hertford RFC recruit who found out about the sessions through social media. With his uncle’s support he attends the sessions on a weekly basis, which also provides his parents with vital respite.
When asked what he thought of his first ever rugby session he said it was “the best day ever”. The feedback we receive highlights the positive impact Saracens Sport Foundation’s Project Rugby programme has on the lives of the players and families.
Project Rugby supported by Rugby Premier League with funding from Gallagher, is creating opportunities for more rugby clubs to provide safe and fun environments for players with disabilities. Mixed ability rugby is challenging perceptions of rugby and increasing the sporting opportunities available for the disabled community.
For more information about Saracens Sport Foundations Mixed Ability Project Rugby contact projectrugby@saracens.net