Worcester Four-Some Selected for World Stage and 2 Make History!
Two male and two female players have been chosen from Worcester RFC for the MARIS to tour Spain in September! BUT what are the MARIS?
The MARIS are the Mixed Ability Barbarians in essence - the Mixed Ability Rugby Invitational Side (Or MARIS for short) was established in 2021 and created to showcase Mixed Ability rugby to the world! Players are invited to play and can play only once. So far they’ve played competitive games including at The Principality Stadium, Edinburgh, Belgium and Halifax.
Mixed Ability Rugby is a fully inclusive form of the game, providing a team environment for people to play whatever their skill level or physical / mental ability. Worcester RFC set up their own mixed ability team over 7 years ago and our founder and now club fix sec AJ Mills will also travel as a former MARIS player (No 076) and take up the role of Assistant Coach.
AJ said “It’s been a mad 7 years. From the start of getting a handful of players together to now 40+ training twice a week AND now a Women’s team at the club… it’s crazy. And for these guys to represent the MARIS… there’s nothing better.”
Joining AJ will be MA Coach and Player David Church and front row maestro BIG Dan Hurdiss; “I didn’t think I’d be selected, but I’m glad I have been now.”
In another historical moment for the club, the first EVER MARIS Women’s side will include two Worcester RFC players, co-founder of our Women’s Mixed Ability team Sarah Nicholls and fast footed Joanne Gatford. The Women’s team was only established last season and has quickly grown in numbers and popularity to become the 8th senior side at Worcester RFC. “We’re so proud to make history and to represent such an inclusive club” Sarah said. “It’s going to be amazing to meet more women from across the world who all believe in mixed ability rugby & I’m so proud of how far our team has come in such a short space of time!”
The MARIS will tour Pamplona in Spain in September and you’ll be able to follow their journey across their social media channels where they regularly post documentaries of each tour.
*The Worcester RFC Men’s and Women’s mixed ability teams both train Tuesdays 6-730pm through Summer and 6-7pm Tuesdays and Thursdays in season. You’ll find their contact details on the club website at https://worcesterrfc.rfu.club
