Finally got @Rugbyworldmag -The Inclusive issue- fantastic to see the coverage of gay, women, blind, homeless, wheelchair rugby & chuffed to have a small mention in the excellent feature on @sundaysrebels @IMART_worldcup @BumblesRugby
it’s hard to cover all the benefits (thread)

It’s full contact rugby not “pulling the strings off shorts” but the same game as you watch on tv or on fields across the world, legitimate members of the rugby family - popular BECAUSE its physical and “not messing with the game”
Its rugby, not a special alternative for disabled

... it talks about the wider social circle a rugby club brings, vital if people have small school/work circles, inc non-disabled friends, the social confidence this can bring, the stories @sundaysrebels relate are common to all the #mixedability sides - life changing stuff

It mentions things that are depressingly novel for some disabled people - travel, nightclubs, banter - rugby on and off the field is the @StayUpLateUK & #endtheawkward campaigns rolled into 1
Respect physically earnt on the field & a common bond off it afterwards #rugbyfamily

it touches on the benefits for rugby clubs - new people, more events, more players - connecting with more of the community

It makes the point that non disabled players are NOT carers, its an equal partnership of players that rely on each other and enjoy playing together

It calls for a societal change - no one is perfect - we all have abilities & relative disabilities - “bring people together, stop splitting them up” - don’t have ‘Special’ needs and dont need ‘special’ sports, just some consideration to play mainstream sports with everyone else

Amazing growth
In where rugby so important & where it all began, we have the highest clubs/population ratio & probably, out of Llanelli Warriors @SwanseaGlads @DragonsNewtown @CardiffChiefsRU @DragALLSTARS @StingraysMAR @PTPantherss @PembrokeshireV 3 or 4 of ‘s most active