Leicester club runs city's first inclusive touch rugby team
SEN children are given the opportunity to take part with the Vipers inclusive rugby team.
Rugby is one of the biggest sports in Leicester, and the Vipers Rugby Club uses the sport to make a difference.
The Vipers have created an inclusive touch rugby team, giving everyone in the community a chance to play the sport.
The team offers those with special educational needs (SEN) a chance to join the club and be a part of a team.
Inclusive team manager Louise Holmes said: “I think everyone should be able to feel like they are a part of something to be able to access things everyone can access, disability or not.
“We think this is the only inclusive rugby team in Leicester at a grassroots level,” she added.
With this being the only inclusive team in the city, it helps to give everyone an opportunity to go and get involved in sport and learn some new skills.
Fun, fitness, and teamwork are the key points of sessions, and the activities help improve these skills for everyone involved.
The sessions are one hour and thirty minutes long and are held every Friday. Coaches are on hand to help those participating.
“It gets them all moving. They look like they’re having fun and keep coming back, so they must be,” Louise added.
While the sessions are fun for the children, they also give the parents a break and a chance to see people going through the same thing as them.
The sessions, being touch rugby, also allow the parents to get involved where possible, allowing them to be active with their children.
“Being a special needs parent is a lonely place. It’s very isolating, so this gives the parents new people to talk to,” Louise said.
Currently, the sessions are indoors at St Peter’s School, Blaby, to avoid any disruption during the winter period.
For more information, visit the Viperswebsite or email vipersminiandjuniors@gmail.com.
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