HISTORY was made at Melksham Rugby Club this month with the club’s new mixed ability rugby team playing their first game.
The mixed ability rugby team, now known as Melksham Stags, was set up in partnership by Melksham RFC and Bath Rugby Foundation to offer men a new and alternative route into the sport.
The team offers new players the chance to learn from Foundation rugby coaches and play alongside experienced players.
After eight weeks of training, the Melksham Stags made their debut against the Walcot Warriors on Friday 4th February.
Melksham RFC’s Jez Flower reports, “The game was very well supported by the town with over 200 spectators in attendance. We were competing for the adeptly named ‘Together Cup’, which will now be an annual game to mark the start of the Rugby Six Nations competition.
The game was played in the true spirit of mixed ability rugby with all players getting stuck in, regardless of ability or experience.
Melksham Stags unfortunately came up short to the more experienced Walcot Warriors side, but we will take a lot from the performance and the experience. We have only been together for about eight weeks, so the future for Melksham Stags is really positive.
“I was humbled by a lot of the comments from the spectators after the game saying how much they had enjoyed it, also about how we are involving and including the SEND (special educational needs and disability) and LD (learning difficulties) community in our great sport, proving that rugby is a game for all.”
“Mixed Ability rugby is open to everyone and is suitable (but not limited to) people with Asperger’s, Autism, dyslexia, anxiety, depression, stress, learning difficulties, physical disabilities, players returning from injury, lower abilities, a lack of understanding of the rules – EVERYBODY!” explains Bath Rugby Foundation Delivery Lead, Dan Hine.
“It is not a disability sport, players are not classified by physical, intellectual or mental disabilities or barriers. It is a sport open to anyone who wants to play regular full-contact rugby.”
Training is Monday nights, 7pm until 8pm, at Melksham Rugby Club. For more information, search for ‘Melksham Mixed Ability Rugby’ on Facebook or call Jez on 07552 160647.
