A RUGBY club is looking to expand after being awarded a special grant.
Berkshire’s first mixed ability rugby team, the Berkshire Brigands, has received funding from the Community Fund, a joint initiative between the University of Reading and the John Sykes Foundation.
Set up by Colin Stonehouse, a member of the Security team at the university, the club is open to anyone over 16, regardless of whether they have a disability or not.
He was inspired to start the team after his youngest son, Duncan, wanted to play rugby like his older brother Drew. However, he has Down Syndrome, which prevents him from taking part in contact rugby.
The Community Fund backing will help the Brigands become a team that can play other mixed ability teams, social sides and regular club teams across the country.
And it could help them take part in the International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament, the equivalent of the Rugby World Cup. This takes place in Ireland over June.
The team has been awarded financial support to help them provide additional training for four coaches and volunteers.
Head coach Duncan Jones said: “I coach the Brigands because I strongly believe in complete inclusivity in sport. Because of rugby, I have been able to travel around the world and make amazing lifetime memories.
“I feel anyone should be able to reap the many benefits of team sport, whether that be making lifelong friendships, challenging yourself or just feeling part of something. By leading as a coach for Berkshire’s first mixed ability rugby team, giving people in Berkshire who beforehand may have felt it to be a huge obstacle, an opportunity to join a rugby team, is incredibly inspiring to me.”
The club is open to new players, and it has a focus on rugby union’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship is valued by both players and their families.
“My 21-year-old son went to play with the Berkshire Brigands, and I couldn’t believe it,” one parent said. “It was the first time in 12 years he had been anywhere without me. It’s the best part of his life.”
Kate Stonehouse is team manager for the Brigands, and Duncan’s mum.
She said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received since suggesting the idea, and how committed everyone has been to making it happen.
“And it is finally happening.
“Duncan is playing rugby with his brother, and with other like-minded players, with learning disabilities and autism and without.”
She continued: “The standard of rugby is astonishing, and just watching is a truly joyful experience. We are already finding that wherever Duncan goes, he is finding others equally loving their rugby, and ready to offer friendship rooted in it.”
The Community Fund was launched in April last year, by the University of Reading and the John Sykes Foundation. It offers financial support to projects that benefit the people and community of Reading.
This is the first year of a two-year pilot, with both organisations contributing financially.
