Twickenham treat for Manchester rugby players
Social inclusion has long been a driving force in the Rugby Football Union’s Community Rugby philosophy and as a result thousands of people who might never have had their hands on an oval ball have been able to share in the joys of the game.
The advent of tag rugby – a version of the time-honoured touch-rugby game where finger-tip contact is as physical as it gets – has also helped to broaden that involvement and extend into areas where a spectating role was previously the limit of involvement.
One of the special elements of the social inclusion package has been the use of Twickenham on International match days to allow newcomers to the game a chance to play in the most famous rugby stadium in the world and to share at close quarters the terrific atmosphere of the place on match day.
Last weekend it was the turn of Manchester to provide the ‘curtain-raiser’ entertainment before the England v Scotland game and that opportunity fell to a group who have been part of a partnership between the RFU, local rugby clubs and Manchester City Council.
These young people are from Manchester special schools and units at Mellands School, Lancasterian School and Cedar Mount High School who have been coached by Rachel Brown, one of three Community Rugby Coaches employed by Manchester City Council in a project run by Phil Clarke, the city’s Rugby Union Development Manager.
Around 100 young people have already benefited and will continue to gain from this project, which is still in its infancy and set to expand. It will also enable teams to enter the North West RFU’s annual Moderate and Severe Learning Difficulties tag rugby tournament which is sponsored by the Wooden Spoon Society.
Commenting on a great day out, Phil Clarke said: “The whole day was a great success. All the players and carers were supplied with track suits and trainers by Manchester City Council and really looked the part.
“The players had been looking forward to it for the previous two weeks and the occasion certainly lived up to expectations. The highlight of the day was the RFU’s flexible approach to the whole day, even bending the rules a little to allow the wheelchair user in the party to be part of the guard of honour on the pitch, which was much appreciated by the boy involved and the accompanying members of staff.
“Once the game started the children soon got wrapped up in the atmosphere and were cheering England all the way home. By the time the party got back to Manchester in the early hours of Sunday morning everyone was extremely tired, but parents and carers alike were full of gratitude to the RFU giving the children the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Joining the party was Councillor Mark Hackett, the Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, a former player and keen rugby supporter. He said: “This initiative shows the determination of the Rugby Football Union and Manchester City Council to make rugby union accessible for everyone. Congratulations to the RFU.”
