Mixed ability rugby squad celebrates

ON THURSDAY 19 July at Longlevens RFC there was a special end of season ceremony to celebrate the success of the children’s mixed ability rugby. The programme, initially started up by the Gloucester Rugby Community Team, ran with support from Wooden Spoon Gloucestershire, Longlevens RFC, Milestones School, Chamwell Centre and Active Gloucestershire to teach disabled children how to play rugby.

The 30-week project achieved and maintained high levels of attendance throughout the season with 30 children participating throughout, it was a fantastic way to end the season.

Each child was presented with an inflatable wooden spoon and a wrist band from Wooden Spoon.

The ceremony was attended by the children plus their coaches, teachers, teaching assistants and proud parents. Each child was presented with an inflatable wooden spoon and a wrist band from Wooden Spoon. These prizes were presented by Rob York (AMS Auctions) who is chairman of Wooden Spoon Gloucestershire and Head Rugby Coach, Richard Stewart. Also in attendance at the end of season ceremony were Julian Jenkins (Wooden Spoon Gloucestershire Vice Chairman and of Dee and Griffin Solicitors), Nicky Harverson (Active Gloucestershire) and Joe Page (The Milestone School).

The event was a great success and enjoyed by all; a perfect way to end a fabulous season. The mixed-ability rugby season will recommence at the beginning of the new school year in September 2018. The future goal moving forward is to encourage even more disabled children to start playing rugby across Gloucestershire.

Find out about the activities taking place near you, how you can get involved and support children and young people with disability or facing disadvantage locally.