The fantastic annual event which concluded earlier this month saw nine individual events take place across the country driving the opportunity for children and young people with disabilities to engage with rugby.
Now in its eighth year, Darren Carew, WRU’s Inclusion Manager spoke about the importance of the tournament, “Looking at this through the eyes of someone who first attended a Disability Six Nations event 8 years ago, not only has the original event based out of Ystrad Mynach grown in size, but it’s not only a stand-alone event now. There are events across the country.
“This year, a total of 1,342 children with disabilities got to play rugby and engage with their national sport through these outstanding events.”
Success doesn’t stop at the Disability Six Nations, as Carew adds, “Once children are engaged in rugby it opens up the opportunity to join an Inclusive Community Club, play wheelchair rugby or join a MA team when they are older. Wherever you are in Wales, there are truly inclusive rugby opportunities available now, in every region.”
Since 2017, the WRU’s work with the regional foundations at Dragons, Cardiff Rugby, Ospreys, Scarlets and RGC has led to a marked increase in number of mixed ability teams and wheelchair rugby teams across Wales, along with a rich calendar of events such as the WRU’s We Soda Inclusion Day and Fit, Fed, Fun camps promoting inclusivity and providing opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to play rugby.
With a dedicated workforce trained to work in this space including seven WRU HUB officers working exclusively with special schools in Wales the WRU are able to engage in rugby activities both on and off the field with children as young as six.
In 2022, the WRU was the awarded the Insport NGB gold Award from Disability Sport Wales, becoming the first governing body in Wales to be recognised for its work within inclusion and disability specific provision in the country.
Geraint John, WRU’s Community Director says, “We have dedicated ourselves to continue to evolve and provide more opportunities for everyone to take part in rugby.
“It’s fantastic to see so many children take part in the Disability Six Nations events and witness the good that rugby can provide. It’s not just about playing, it’s connecting with others, building confidence and having fun, whilst being inclusive and embracing everyone within our game.
“Having a dedicated team has been invaluable in driving our diversity and inclusion community strategy, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our Regional Foundations for their hard work and support which helps make these events possible. Working together towards a common goal, not only means that we can positively reach more people, we’re inviting them to be part of a rugby family.
“From children as young as 6, we enable them to continue playing a format of rugby through their lives. And we can support them further, into coaching if they choose. We have the work force and the collaborative partnerships in place that can now support that.
“I look forward to what the future holds in this space as we’re looking to further our work within Inclusion.”
“Specifically looking at how we engage and support ethnically diverse communities in Wales, building trust and developing sustainable, long term relationships through the medium of rugby.”
Do you have children that want to get involved in wheelchair rugby? Click here for more information and find a club near you:
https://www.wrugamelocker.wales/en/resources-and-videos/resources/inclusion/disability/
https://gbwr.org.uk/find-a-club/
Upcoming Events
April 16th – Urdd SEN Festival
April 17th – Urdd Wheelchair Rugby Festival
If you want to see the elite level of wheelchair rugby then check out the Quad Nations – 16th – 18th April, Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff
