First Tri-Nations game heralds new beginnings for Mixed Ability Rugby
Integrated rugby took another giant step forward with the first ever Scottish side ‘The Clan’ announcing it is to host a Scotland, England and Wales three way round robin in June 2013.
The new team from Scotland features players with Autism, Learning and Physical Disabilities, competing in full contact Rugby Union game alongside able-bodied team mates, and will play its inaugural game against the Welsh side Llanelli Warriors.
The Warriors who have sixteen seasons of experience including many international games against mainstream rugby squads will then take on the English Bumble Bees Barbarians before the games conclude with a Scotland V England finale.
The tournament will be held between 21st and 23rd of June at the Kilmarnock RFC base of The Clan and welcoming host for the visiting UK sides.
This latest advance in international inclusion in rugby precedes the arrival in England in March 2014 of a delegation from France and Italy to observe the annual Bumbles V Warriors ‘H-Bomb Tournament’:
Martino Corazza an Italian coach now employed by the Workers Educational Association (WEA) and working with students to promote integrated rugby, said after a recent visit to Saint-OmerFrance;
“We received a tremendously warm welcome inEuropewith French, Italian and Belgian teams who already work with disabled players showing great interest in theUKmodel.
There is also an open invitation to the ‘Daniel Dubus’ first Rugby 7’s International Tournament in France during September 2014”.
Martino who previously coached at Chivasso Rugby in Turin and is now based at the Bumble Bee Barbarians Rugby Team home ground at Bradford and Bingley RFC added; “The French teams are now looking to sign up to partnership with the FFR (French Rugby Federation). In England the Bumbles are recognised by the RFU, and the Warriors by the WRU. With our governing bodies acknowledgment and support Integrated Rugby can progress and expand, giving more people with disabilities the opportunity to take part in this great contact sport”.
Bradford and Bingley Sports in conjunction with the Bumbles are offering to host the first XV a side International Mixed Ability Tournament in two years time to coincide with the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
