Welsh rugby’s ‘originals’ when it comes to Mixed Ability rugby clubs, the Gladiators will be playing an exhibition game at Principality Stadium against the MARIs – mixed ability rugby’s equivalent of the Barbarians!
The home of Welsh rugby has already provided the setting for some memorable finals for teams from all around the country since last weekend and the action continues through to Bank Holiday Monday.
The ‘Inclusion Day’ at Principality Stadium kicks-off with a rugby festival (10.30am – 4.30pm) that will involve teams from 42 schools who are involved in the Dragons Gateway project. They are all from Year 5 and 6.
Then it will be time for the Mixed Ability teams to take centre stage and WRU National Inclusion Manager, Darren Carew, can’t wait for the action to get started.
“Playing at Principality Stadium for these players will be life enhancing. It is something they will never forget,” said Carew.
“Mixed Ability rugby has grown massively in Wales and the game between the Gladiators and the MARIs is not only a birthday party, but also a celebration of the growth of the game. We now have nine clubs across Wales catering for players with learning difficulties and many other types of disabilities.
THE WELSH CLUBS
Swansea Gladiators, Llanelli Warriors, Cardiff Chiefs, Dragons All Stars, Newtown Dragons, Pembrokeshire Vikings, Colwyn Bay Stingrays, Port Talbot Panthers, Llewod y Bont
“The last time we had a game at Principality Stadium it was to mark the 25th anniversary of the Llanelli Warriors team. Now we’ve got the invitation side playing the Gladiators in what is going to be a great spectacle.
“The MARIs last game was at Murrayfield and they will have a sprinkling of Welsh players in their ranks. “
Helping out with the coaching will be former Wales Women’s captain Rachel Taylor, who is heavily involved with the Colwyn Bay Stingrays, while former Scarlets prop Simon Gardner is another specialist coach who has links to the Pembroke Vikings.
“Welsh teams have played all over the world, including a trip to Tonga and Samoa, and it is all about building confidence in the players,” added Carew.
“With more than 300 players across Wales playing in Mixed Ability rugby teams there is a growing demand. They play against each other, take on social teams and also play against clubs with 3rd or 4th XVs.”
The Gladiators were formed in 1991 when a group of social service staff and a group of adults with learning difficulties met on a rough patch of ground to explore the possibilities of playing contact rugby. Through the work of the Gladiators rugby became a natural vehicle for championing people, predominantly with learning disabilities, to participate in a meaningful sporting experience along with their able-bodied friends.
The Gladiators are currently based at Swansea Uplands RFC. They have been linked with the club for three years having previously played at Gowerton and Waunarlwydd. As the World’s oldest Mixed Ability rugby team they started what has now become a global format of inclusive rugby that continues to grow and continues to inspire, engage and empower people with disabilities.
The MARIs (Mixed Ability Rugby Invitationals) were established in 2021 to play exhibition matches. Their first fixture was played at Cardiff Arms Park against the Llanelli Warriors in 2021.
WHAT IS MIXED ABILITY RUGBY
Mixed Ability Rugby is a format that brings together both non-disabled players and players with varying disabilities on the same team.
The level of contact depends on certain individuals ability or medical condition, this can be shown by use of different coloured headguards/shorts or relayed verbally to opposition teams in a pre-match talk this method is used by teams that do not want to visually single out players. Opposition tends to be 3rds or 4ths teams and other mixed ability teams.
General Rules
15-a-side
Mixture of disabled and non-disabled
Contact level adapted to individual
Uncontested scrums
Train from 16, play from the age of 18
