The mixed ability rugby pioneers
Volunteers' Week takes place from 1-7 June to thank volunteers across the UK, so this week we’re recognising ours...
When Yeovil Rugby Club hosted an historic double-header fixture of a men’s and women’s mixed ability rugby match recently they had already broken barriers as the first rugby club to create both a men’s and a women’s mixed ability team.
The achievement was made possible by two women who first met when one, as a student midwife, delivered the other’s baby. They caught up again later when the club hosted an Inner Warrior camp.
“I had four young children, had got into a rut, wasn’t exercising," remembers Vicky Ousey. "In 2016, I went along to the camp at the club where Bea played and she remembered delivering my son. They were offering six weeks’ free fitness which seemed great, although I thought no, rugby wasn’t for me.”
Not for her? She now plays, runs the club social media, helps with the web pages and covers marketing and sponsorship. Four-year-old daughter Priscilla goes to rugby tots. Seven-year-old Horatio and Maxwell, delivered by Bea nine years ago, and ten-year-old William all play for the club.
“Bea and I thought that as rugby is such an inclusive sport we should provide mixed ability rugby for our community,” says Vicky. “It was set up in December 2019. We have lots of volunteers helping and our club captain Brandon Brown is great, he’s involved in training sessions and encourages the men. There’s a combination of players who don’t want to play full contact rugby, or who have been injured or have retired from playing, and players with autism, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental health problems and learning difficulties, a really great mixed bunch.”
For the double-header they hosted Walcott Warriors Men and Bath Ladies Trojans to create what they believe to be a first in the rugby world. The event, in partnership with Bath Rugby Foundation, brought together rugby players with different disabilities or mixed abilities from across the South West. Showcasing the true spirit of rugby, the emphasis was on what the players can do, not what they can’t, as they enjoyed the games alongside players from the club’s men’s and women’s team.
On a mission
Bea Chubb, now a senior midwife, was involved on the day, as was her 16-year-old son Tyler. Daughters Leilha (14) seven-year-old Meadow, as well as their five-year-old brother Carter, play at Yeovil. Jonah at only 18 months will no doubt get involved when he’s a bit older. Bea is the contact for women’s and girls’ rugby at the club, recruiting new players. Her husband Simon is the women’s team coach.
It was Bea’s mission to bring the sport to a wider local audience. After lots of research and discussions with IMAS the decision was to create both a men’s and women’s mixed ability team. With friend Vicky, committee member Julian Cox and Brandon Brown involved, the main committee lent their weight to the new venture. Bea, Vicky and Brandon went into local schools and colleges to deliver try MA rugby sessions which soon saw students at the club for training sessions and a social time and created new links with college students also starting volunteer work within the club setting.
The club’s men and women players were eager to get involved with training too. Bath Foundation ran training sessions with the help of Dan Hine, the Foundation’s Delivery Lead as well as Walcott Warriors coach and player who as been a tremendous asset.
Said Dan: “It was a privilege to be involved in the double-header fixtures. We arranged a coach to transport the players to Yeovil, giving them the real deal feeling of being involved in a rugby team. The excitement, delight and honour on all of our players’ faces was absolutely incredible to see. We’re all looking forward to future mixed ability fixtures.”
With this inclusive way to play rugby, every player is valued for what they bring to the team. Yeovil have seen not just an improvement in players’ fitness, but also building friendships among people who may not otherwise have met.
Local company Air Aesthetics and Wellness, inspired by the way these teams overcome so many barriers to play the sport, have sponsored kit for both the men’s and women’s team. Yeovil Rugby Club, in partnership with Bath Rugby Foundation, are passionate about growing the teams because when sport is inclusive, everyone is a winner.
One big family
Yeovil Mixed Ability Women’s player Ella Sky explains: “Because of my autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia, in team sport I’m usually left very confused as to what is going on and what I am meant to do, which makes me very stressed, In the mixed ability team everything is explained more slowly and everything is done at your own pace and ability. Everyone on the team and at the club are very friendly, its one big family.”
The family stretched to 75 players for the inaugural double-header with an amazing atmosphere throughout the whole day. Sports photographer Martin Edwards decided the event was “the most enjoyable rugby I’ve photographed in many years.”
Said Bea: ‘It was great to be involved in the games and see the work that so many people have put into the teams coming together. Not only is it fantastic that Yeovil created the opportunity for people who wouldn’t usually have been able to play rugby or be part of a team, but we also saw them play some great rugby. After the games there was such a buzz at the club and a sense of how much further we can progress and grow.”
Yeovil Chairman Paul McHugh, who presented prizes after the game said that the memories would last a lifetime. “As a long- time supporter of grassroots rugby and the ethos to encompass an inclusive game and club, I could not be prouder. The MA initiative is testimony to the core values of the game and I hope other clubs get involved with providing inclusive to all rugby for their communities.”
This one big family approach, where players of all backgrounds can feel safe and included, was described by one Yeovil player: “I’ve met so many new friends, I feel like I am a part of a team which I have never had in my life.”
That’s another first of which they can be truly proud!
