Mixed ability/integrated rugby teams are teams that include players who have a learning disability. The team is a mix of disabled and non-disabled player’s and the laws of the game are adapted to reduce the risk of injury.
The game was played on a cold and wet evening under food lights at Malone RFC. The weather conditions hindered the flow of the game but it did not kerb the enthusiasm and spirit of the players who provided the sizeable crowd of onlookers with an open and entertaining game of rugby.
The Clan won the game convincingly, but without doubt rugby was the ultimate winner in what was the first game of mixed ability/integrated rugby to be held in Ireland. This version of the sport is played in England; Wales and Scotland and both teams agreed to travel to Belfast to afford Irish and Ulster Rugby the opportunity to experience the game first hand. It was very clear that the game was played in the true spirit of rugby with both teams demonstrating the core values of our sport: respect, discipline, teamwork and enjoyment.
Jamie Armstrong from Trust Rugby International and Tony Gemine from the Gladiators stated: "We are delighted to be given the opportunity to play in Belfast tonight. Mixed ability rugby is about making the game of rugby football inclusive for those who have learning disabilities and doing it in a way that puts player safety first. We look forward to helping the development of this version of the game in Ireland."
John McKibbin, Honorary Secretary of the IRFU (Ulster Branch), commented: "I would like to thank Malone RFC for hosting the game and both teams for taking the time to come to Belfast for this fixture. The enthusiasm and enjoyment of all those playing was clear to see. This has been a very positive and informative experience for everybody involved and we will use this to look at the possible development of this version of the sport in Ulster. Although at the minute our focus will remain on the promotion and growth of tag rugby for people with learning disabilities, we were able to see another possible version of the game and this is something we will need to give consideration to in conjunction with the IRFU.
This fixture was made possible due to the generous support of the NI Executive and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure through the ‘Promoting Equality, Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion through Sport' programme.