Since 2017 the WRU’s work with Cardiff Rugby, Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets and RGC plus organisations including Disability Sport Wales, The Change Foundation and Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby has seen a three-fold increase in the number of mixed ability teams and wheelchair rugby teams , the creation of four inclusive community rugby clubs and a visually impaired team (with two more in development), as well as a regular calendar of disability camps and events across the nation.
Seven dedicated WRU Hub Officers also operate in Special Schools throughout Wales, which as WRU Community Rugby Director Geraint John notes is extremely important for inclusive rugby delivery in Wales, “This all means we now have the ability to engage children with disabilities as young as six years old and enable them to play a format of rugby right through their lives.
“If they wish to transition into coaching as they reach the latter stages of their playing career, particularly in mixed ability rugby, well we can support them in achieving this too. We have a well-trained workforce who are comfortable in the space and understand that it is our job to do our best to provide a jersey for all.”
As a culmination of all this work, in April this year the WRU was awarded the “Insport NGB (National Governing Body) Gold Award” from Disability Sport Wales becoming the first governing body in Wales to be recognised for reaching the highest possible standards for its work on inclusion and disability specific provision throughout the country.
Entering National Inclusion Week has allowed time to take stock of the progress made with John adding: “As it is National Inclusion week we felt it was a good time to reflect. For more than five years the WRU has worked to drive the development of rugby for people with disabilities.
“This has seen the development of a Disability Rugby Strategy and the employment of staff geared specifically toward bringing that strategy to life.
“We have seen great success in developing these opportunities and we are proud to become the first NGB in Wales to achieve Insport Gold.”
So, where next for the WRU in this space? John sets out what the Welsh Rugby Union is looking to achieve over the next five years with inclusion a vital part of the WRU’s mission.
“We have dedicated ourselves to continue to evolve and improve the support we provide in disability rugby, but we are now looking to further expand our inclusion programmes, “said John
“I am excited that we are beginning a new chapter in inclusion, with a new focus on engaging with ethnically diverse communities. This will see us strive to truly unlock all communities of Wales using the blueprint of the last five years, by building trust through authenticity and creating long term relationships with the communities which may not feel a bond to our national sport.
“The future is now, and we look forward to the next five years and beyond”.
