PRESS RELEASE; Worcester RFC Nominated for 2nd National Award
The hugely successful Mixed Ability programme at Worcester RFC has been nominated for it’s second National award in a year as one of three nominees for the Variety Club Disability Sport Awards; Community and Clubs Award.
The Variety Club fund and deliver life-changing programs that give children and young people across the UK a better future.
The Variety Club Disability Sports Awards are the UK’s only national disability sports awards. This inaugural event will celebrate and champion people with disabilities in sports. With awards across many levels, roles, locations, and sports, the Disability Sports Awards aims to make the sporting world a more diverse and inclusive place.
The awards ceremony will be hosted by comedian and disability advocate Adam Hills MBE and Chief Executive Officer of GB Snowsport and Chair of British Surfing Vicky Gosling OBE, with performances from comedians Rosie Jones and Katerina Vrana.
*Event partners include Channel 4, British Paralympics Association, England Cricket Board, England Golf, Leeds Rhinos, GBWR, IMAS and Motorsport UK.
Worcester RFC Mixed Ability Lead, Tom Reeves enthused “WOW! What can we say but we are truly humbled to be recognised by Variety as a club of note. There are a good 7-10 of us involved in running these 2 mixed ability teams (men’s and women’s) and we're all volunteers who give up an awful lot of time to do this. It's a lovely recognition of what they do and what we've built over the last 6-7yrs. To have recently launched our women’s team, win a UK Coaching Award AND now be shortlisted for another – we’re over the moon!”
Sarah Nichols, founder and Team Manager of the Women’s Mixed Ability section “This is the icing on the cake of what’s just been the most amazing year! Thank you Variety for our nomination. Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm!”
WHAT IS MIXED ABILITY? Mixed Ability Rugby is, very simply, rugby for players of all abilities & disabilities. An inclusive form of rugby with a handful of tweaks to the rules such as uncontested scrums and restricted contact dependant on ability. The Mixed Ability programme has brought in over 130 new players to the club with a handful of players representing the Men’s 1sts and even more at 2s and 3s level. At the recent IMART (International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament) in Ireland, Worcester Men’s Mixed Ability came a creditable 6th & were the highest ranked side in England. In 2022, Worcester RFC launched the Women’s Mixed Ability team. Players of all ages (16+), abilities and S.E.N needs are welcomed & encouraged Tuesday & Thursdays evenings 6-7pm (Men and Women). See @WorcesterRFCMA on social media for more info.
Notes to Editors: To find out more about Worcestershire’s Most Inclusive Club please head to https://worcesterrfc.rfu.club/MembershipInformation <ENDS> Instagram @worcesterrugbyfootballclub | Twitter @WorcsRFC | Facebook @WorcesterRFC
