Smurfit Kappa Announced as Headline Sponsor for Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament
With just 3 weeks to go, the organisers of the IMART Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup are looking for 200 volunteers in the Cork area to be a part of the event. The tournament which will host an estimated 25,000 players & spectators across the week, will be a 6-day long affair, and organisers say they need approximately 200 people on the ground to ensure the event is the absolute best it can be – and to showcase all that Cork has to offer as a sporting host.
This will be the 3rd edition of the worldwide Mixed Ability rugby showcase promoted by International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS), and supported by the IRFU.
In the region of 1100 players both with and without disabilities, from 14 countries such as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Canada, Argentina and Poland will come together to play rugby under same World Rugby laws as the XV a side game with only minor adaptations such as uncontested scrums.
This year’s event is made extra special by the fact that it will host the first ever KPMG sponsored Women’s Mixed Ability Rugby tournament.
IMART have also announced that Smurfit Kappa, world leader in innovative, sustainable packaging, has come on board as headline sponsors of the event.
Speaking of what lies ahead in preparation for IMART, Liam Maher, co-founder, IMART 2022 said:
“We are only 4 weeks out and the event is really beginning to take shape. There’s huge excitement within the IMART camp here in Cork, but also amongst the teams from around the world who are travelling here to take part in a tournament that celebrates diversity and inclusion in sport.
“What we need now is a strong team of people who would like to be part of, what promises to be, one of the most inspirational sports events ever to come to this country. We have already received huge support from people throughout the country, and this is the final push for volunteers. Responsibilities will range from general volunteers to translators, who will support the 14 teams competing across the week.”
Irene Page, Group Financial Controller at Smurfit Kappa, who is leading the company’s involvement with IMART 2022, had this to say:
“Our ‘EveryOne’ Inclusion, Diversity and Equality programme aims to create an even more inclusive workplace for our 48,000 employees so we’re delighted to be supporting the International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament coming to Ireland for the first time. What’s more, Smurfit Kappa has a presence in 12 of the 14 countries participating so it’s going to be very exciting for our colleagues to cheer on their local teams.
“Mixed Ability gives everybody the opportunity to be a rugby player regardless of size, shape or ability. Disability is one of the five focus areas of our EveryOne activity and we strive to value and support everyone who has a disability whether visible or invisible; physical or intellectual. Supporting IMART is providing an incredible opportunity to welcome teams from around the world, celebrate the achievements of the players and create memories that will last a lifetime.”
The Mixed Ability Model – championed by IMAS – encourages social inclusion by removing barriers to participation for people who feel unable to join mainstream grassroots clubs or groups due to physical or learning disabilities, mental health issues, size, shape, age, prolonged inactivity, or a perception of ‘not being good enough’. It is hoped that the IMART Tournament in Cork next year will enhance interest, participation and interaction of people of all abilities in the sport across Ireland and beyond, and help to build new connections between grassroots clubs, educational institutions, communities and local authorities.
Volunteers for the event are invited to register their interest at https://imartworldcup.org/