MIXED ABILITY RUGBY
REAL INCLUSION IN ACTION
IMAS, the driving force behind IMART, is championing the Mixed Ability Model using it to break down barriers to participation in sport, promote social inclusion and generate long-term positive change in our communities.
Mixed Ability Rugby grew organically from a lack of provision for disabled participants to play rugby. Players with and without physical and learning disabilities began playing in the same 15 a side rugby game abiding by World Rugby Laws.
Mixed Ability emphasises regular, frequent and sustainable activities, self-determination, full membership of grassroots clubs and opportunities for social interaction for all.
Mixed Ability teams are “just another team” in the club!
For more information logon to www.mixedabilitysports.org
PETER & PATRICK O’FLYNN
“Patrick spent his childhood standing on the side lines with me watching his brothers play. I never thought I would see the day that he would line out on a rugby field against his brother.”
GEMMA O’FLYNN
PARENT OF REBELS PLAYER PATRICK O’FLYNN
GARRETT D’ARCY
“When the Mixed Ability team started in Sunday’s Well I was sceptical about its success. 5 years on and at 48 years of age I’m still packing the gear on a Friday and heading to training. The positive effect it has on the guys with disabilities is contagious. I’ve never played on a team that stayed this tight for so long. The bond between players of a wide variety of abilities and ages is amazing.”
Garrett D’Arcy
Rebels Player and member of Sunday’s Well RFC for over 20 years
RONAN O’REILLY
“For Ronan the Rebels is a place to belong and to be just another rugby player like everyone else. For Aileen it gives her a chance to support her son playing for his club like every mother wishes. For the family we are just a typical rugby family supporting the team that belongs to us and that is priceless to us!”
Denis O’Reilly Parent of Rebels Player Ronan O’Reilly
A PLAYER'S PERSPECTIVE
Danny Lynch - Sundays Well Rebels Captain 2014 / 2015
2015 was a great year for me. It was the year of my life. The highlight of the year for me was becoming a World Cup winning captain of Sunday’s Well Rebels Mixed Ability Rugby team.
In August we went to Bradford to play in the first International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament. The tournament was a week long event and we played teams from Scotland, England and France. In the final we beat the host team the Bradford & Bingley Bumble Bees. The best thing about this is I now have friends from all over the world.
I am now a local sporting legend. Bank of Ireland asked me to open the Macroom Business Fair in September 2015 and I got to go on tour with the cup and bring it back to my old primary school. I went to Dublin Castle at the end of the year with my team mates to collect a ‘Better Together’ award for Cope Foundation and Sunday’s Well RFC. I was very proud of my achievements that year.
A PARENT'S PERSPECTIVE
Eddie & Lindsey Kelleher – Parents of Rebels player Lorcan
When we first heard of the Mixed Ability Rugby team at Sunday’s Well RFC we thought what an amazing leap of imagination and vision it was. Our son Lorcan has a mild intellectual disability and social or physical outlets for him can be hard to find.
The Mixed Ability team has the added dimension of including people of mixed intellectual ability in one team. This is a hugely satisfying experience for all involved and is invaluable in breaking down barriers between those with intellectual disabilities and those without.
We now have two sons who are proud members of this fantastic rugby club. I know all the lads look forward to training and commit very hard to developing their fitness and skill levels. This is contributing immeasurably to their physical well-being and more importantly to their self-esteem and confidence.
We see first-hand the benefits of being involved in a sport and club where discipline, fairness, sportsmanship and respect are core values. We are even more delighted that our older son Lorcan can now be a part of this community. We will do all we can to support the people who took the leap of faith and started this amazing thing – Our Mixed Ability Rugby Team!