As part of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, fan zones across England welcomed fans from all over the world.
In London, the host city for a final that saw the Red Roses lift the trophy, this autumn had Battersea Power Station hosting an Inclusive Rugby day with a range of activities.
The day took place on Tuesday 23 September in the build up to the final at Allianz Stadium and welcomed schoolchildren with special educational needs from the London district to the amazing fan zone site between the power station and the river Thames.
Tackling was popular on the inflatable
Primary school age pupils took part in inclusive rugby activities introducing them to skills including kicking, passing, tackling and teamwork.
Organising the activities International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS), on a mission to involve disabled people in mainstream community sports. Mixed Ability sport doesn’t adapt sports, instead it encourages people to get involved regardless of any perceived barriers to playing.
Delivering the activities were a number of Mixed Ability rugby coaches and players, including members of Surrey Chargers and Yeovil Mixed Ability teams. Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby also leant their support with a dedicated wheelchair activity area. Guests participating across the day included referee, former rugby winger, team founder and club chairman Lord Robert Hayward OBE. Head of Enrichment and PE at the Department of Education Salma Ishaque, and Al Crawford of the Eden Academy also joined in with games.
Children playing one of many Kin-ball games
IMAS Co-founder and director, Martino Corazza said: “The idea for us was to be led by people who have lived the experience of disabilities, who have a history in rugby and could pass their experience and knowledge to other people who are currently not in the game.The children really enjoyed the games and it just was just incredible to see them engaging with a rugby ball and learn different skills, in such a fun and enjoyable way.
“Hopefully, a few of them will take up rugby in the future and Mixed Ability is for them.”
The range of activities catered to all interests, and included floor curl, wheelchair rugby and rugby darts. With the darts, participants have a sticky rugby ball to throw at a numbered board to practice accurate passing, nearby was an inflatable lineout station where players threw the ball into a hole. One pupil from Alexandra School said, “I love rugby now, it’s the best. Now I know how to play, and I can play at school.”
While another said: “I loved the wheelchair rugby the most because I could crash into my friends and the darts was so fun because I kept getting bullseye.”
Pupils enjoyed multiple activities
Kin-Ball, which uses a giant inflatable ball and is based on cooperation, was incredibly popular, “I liked the games. My favourite one was the big bouncy ball,” said one child,
Teacher Tom Barnard commented, “It was absolutely epic because there were so many activities to choose from. Thank you so much for the whole day, our children were very lucky to take part, and everyone was so helpful. We want to play Kin-ball more now!”
IMAS trainers assembled from Mixed Ability teams across the country.
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