October 08, 2019 - 1333 views
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's newly-appointed rugby engagement officer recently returned from Cardiff after managing a local mixed ability rugby team to its debut victory at the Principality Stadium.
Hannah Hughes led out the Colwyn Bay mixed ability rugby team, the Stingrays for its first ever game during the 'WRU Road to Principality Inclusion Festival'.
The college connection didn't stop there, as Coleg Llandrillo's Rhos-on-Sea-based student Connor Workman was named as assistant team manager and Independent Living Skills student Dylan Evans from the college group's Glynllifon campus played on the wing.
Colwyn Bay Stingrays MAR are not your ordinary rugby team. In fact, they are quite extraordinary. They are a mixed ability rugby team, the only team of its kind in North Wales offering a senior inclusive format of the sport.
It is a slightly modified version of the standard contact game with a team comprised of both disabled and non-disabled players. Players' disabilities can range from learning difficulties to learning and physical disabilities.
The non-disabled players provide a crucial role: they not only provide a supportive environment, but help to facilitate the structure of a regular game and assist in both training and matches (as part of the team), forming a cohesive player group.
Acting team manager Hannah Hughes said: "The Stingrays having their debut match at the mixed ability festival at the Principality Stadium - ex-Millennium Stadium - was an amazing experience for the squad, it was great for them to play alongside their able-bodied peers (and siblings).
"Being the youngest formed team in the world by nonother than Welsh rugby legend Rachel Taylor, it was a privilege to ensure the Stingrays enjoyed their first experience of a rugby festival, and watching them secure their first ever win was a dream come true, whilst showcasing the great work happening in North Wales (RGC).
"Being new in my role as the rugby engagement officer within Grŵp Llandrillo Menai it was great to be able to support and allow students to be part of the historic day. One student played his first ever rugby game whilst another had the experience of acting as the assistant manager for the day".
Connor Workman said: "Attending the festival as assistant team manager was an amazing experience that I will remember forever. I had never thought I would be given the opportunity to be an assistant team manager let alone stand on the pitch at the Principality.
"The whole experience from start to finish was great for myself and the players: from getting to use the nation's home teams changing rooms and walking through the tunnel with live cameras filming, to watching Colwyn Bay scoring tries at the Principality
"Mixed ability rugby not only builds ability and self-belief on the pitch, but it also develops social skills and confidence off it. For those with disabilities, the format often provides an invaluable chance to learn social skills, meet people and make new friends".
WRU Head of Rugby Participation Ryan Jones - a strong supporter of disability and mixed ability rugby - said: "We firmly believe there is a place for everyone in rugby. Mixed ability teams, as we've seen, can enrich the lives of not only the players and their families by providing a positive social and physical activity, but they certainly add to the social tissue of our community rugby clubs".
