Ulster Rugby v Leinster Rugby

TORNADOES BLAZING A TRAIL FOR MIXED ABILITY RUGBY

At the beginning of this season, the Malone Tornadoes became the first Mixed Ability Rugby team in Ulster.

This proved to be a phenomenally successful event both from a participation and learning perspective and ultimately, with over 80 players taking part, it has reinforced that the decision to develop Mixed Ability Rugby, not only in Ulster, but throughout Ireland has been extremely positive and there is a genuine willingness for it to progress in the future. The Malone Tornadoes will continue to train throughout the season and will have two structured training games before rounding off their first season in a blaze of glory by playing Sundays Well Rebels prior to the Chris Henry Testimonial event, to be held at the end of May at Malone RFC. This will, no doubt, showcase the excellent work that all the coaching team, players and facilitators have put in since starting out in October with a vision to make the game of rugby union accessible and fully inclusive to all. For more information contact: Tim Craig (07739 075578 / tj.craig@ntlworld.com)

As part of a pilot project supported by Ulster Rugby and the IRFU, the Malone Tornadoes offer adults with a disability the opportunity to play 15-a-side rugby supported by experienced rugby players (facilitators). These facilitators guide players with a disability to fulfil their role within the game. Thanks to the dedicated team of volunteers, and with support received from Belfast City Council’s small development grant programme ‘Everybody Active 2020’, the Malone Tornadoes have evolved into a squad of 25 players and facilitators. Training takes place on Monday evenings from 7-8pm at Malone RFC’s Gibson Park grounds and the sessions have been supported by many of the Ulster Rugby professional squad. On 10th March, they were invited to De La Salle Palmerston along with Sundays Well Rebels to take part in the first ever joint training session for Mixed Ability Rugby teams to be held on the island of Ireland. The day started with a gentle warm-up, leading in to some skills development, then several short games of touch rugby followed by a structured game between the Tornadoes and Sundays Well Rebels.

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