At Rainey Rugby Club, the ethos that rugby is a sport for everyone is more than just a saying, it's a mission in action. Thanks to the support of the Ulster Rugby Foundation and the dedication of its volunteers, the club is set to launch its first-ever disability rugby team, creating a vital space for inclusivity and community.
This new chapter was marked by a special visit from the Ulster Rugby Foundation, which donated a range of specialist equipment, including rugby balls and sensory toys, to help the club on its journey. The donation is the culmination of years of hard work by Rainey RFC’s Club and Community Outreach Officer, Dean Talbot, who has been building a powerful connection with a local Special Educational Needs (SEN) school, Kilronan. For the past four years, Dean has been a regular visitor at Kilronan, introducing students with additional needs to the sport. “Working with Kilronan is a big passion of mine,” Dean says. “It has always been a goal of mine to bring them into the club community. Now, with the support of the Ulster Rugby Foundation, we have the tools to do that and be inclusive.”
This sentiment was echoed by Senior Women’s Player and Ulster Rugby Foundation Ambassador, India Daley, who came along to Rainey. “It’s brilliant to be part of a day like today, to give back to a club that wants to start up a disability rugby team,” she shared. “It gives a sense of community and belonging to individuals who may have not felt that without this inclusion. I think rugby is a sport for everyone, no matter who you are.”
The connection between Rainey RFC and Kilronan School is a testament to the success of the Community and Club Outreach Officer (CCRO) programme. Hannah Crilly, PE Coordinator at Kilronan, has seen the direct impact of Dean's work. “Dean’s great, the kids absolutely love him, they have so much fun,” she said. “The pupils are developing key skills in rugby, as well as developing friendships.” The true impact of rugby, according to many involved, is the bonds it helps create. “Rugby has had such an impact on the children, connection being the biggest one with each other, and the friendships they have formed” she explained. “It has helped with their concentration and engagement. Communication and teamwork skillshave also been vastly improved which is so great to see.”
It’s not just the children who benefit. For Laura Campbell, a disability coach and parent, the new team provides a space for the whole family. “The fact that my son can come here and fall in love with a sport that I myself have recently got involved in, is great and it’s amazing that rugby can be something we do and share together,” she said. “For parents, it opens up a community that can be a support network and sense of belonging, a place where you can share some of the same difficulties you have faced and feel heard.”
Beyond the equipment, the Ulster Rugby Foundation and Ulster Rugby are ensuring the new team’s sustainability by putting 14 Rainey coaches through specialist disability coaching courses. This dedication reflects the wider growth of inclusive rugby across the province. Shel Laffin, Ulster Rugby’s Disability Officer, highlights the significant strides being made. “Over the past couple of years, we have really been able to grow participation in inclusive rugby,” she says. “We now have 14 clubs offering disability tag and mixed ability teams.”
Laffin stresses the importance of making rugby truly accessible. “We always say that rugby is a massive community sport, unless you have an avenue for everyone to come and enjoy rugby in any form, you do not have the full community,” she explains. The support from the Foundation is “hugely important to the growth of disability rugby,” helping clubs like Rainey build strong, lasting programmes. With the new equipment, the trained coaches, and the relationships already built, Rainey RFC is poised to make a massive positive impact. Dean Talbot sums up the excitement perfectly, “I’m most excited to see the kids getting out on the grass and enjoying themselves… The idea of getting our own team, our own kit and getting the kids to blitzes with other teams will be amazing.”
The journey at Rainey RFC is a powerful example of how a sport can be a catalyst for inclusion, community, and belonging, proving that rugby is, and should always be, a game for everyone.
If you are interested in getting involved in disability rugby at Rainey RFC, please contact Roisin on 07854037767. <br>
<br>
If you would like more information on getting a disability rugby team set up at your club, please contact Shel Laffin at shel.laffin@ulsterrugby.com.