80 children celebrate at Bath Rugby Foundation?s Inclusive Rugby Fun Day

Pupils from Larkrise Special School in Trowbridge, Threeways Special School in Odd Down, PROPS / Briarwood School in Bristol, Leonard Cheshire School in Timsbury and Fosseway Special School in Radstock received coaching from some big names when they took part in Bath Rugby Foundation?s Inclusive Rugby Fun Day.

Twelve of Bath Rugby’s players including Dom Day, Carl Fearns, Mat Gilbert, Jonathan Joseph and Ross Batty joined in with the activities and helped the children excel at some core rugby skills while new signings Luke Arscott & Nick Auterac found themselves coaching and taking part in a nail-biting tag rugby game.

The Fun Day is an annual event by Bath Rugby Foundation, specially designed for children with disabilities from special schools within the vicinity. Joining the children was Maximus, the Bath Rugby Junior Membership Leader, who helped the children complete the twelve skill stations and posed for photos with both children and very excited staff!

Bath Rugby Foundation Inclusion Manager Caryl Thomas said. “The Inclusion project works with children with special needs in a variety of settings from schools, youth clubs, lunch time clubs and community after school clubs. This event concludes the academic year and gives a great opportunity for the children to experience The Rec and show off their progress.  The children are very excited to be coached by professional players.  The players are such role models to these kids and raise aspirations. It is also a great opportunity for our partners, committed volunteers and Bath Rugby staff to interact with the children and get involved in the games.”

The Fun Day was bankrolled by the funds raised at the Superstars event which Bath Rugby Foundation ran in December 2013.  The event saw local businesses like Thrings Solicitors, Nine Feet Tall and Moneywise raise money by going head to head on numerous challenges with Superstars including Olympian Jason Gardener, Paralympian Ben Rushgrove and former Bath Rugby players, Danny Grewcock, John Hall and David Flatman. 

Staff from The Consortium, St John’s Hospital and Nine Feet Tall joined in with the children, seeing for themselves the positive impact their financial support has had on the local community. 

Mike Vallis, Business Consultant at Nine Feet Tall said, “It is exciting to see our fundraising money being put to such good use and see the children reaping the benefits.  This event is a great opportunity for the Nine Feet Tall team to get involved and continue to support the work of this fantastic charity”

For more information about the Inclusion Project or any of Bath Rugby Foundation’s work please e-mail [email protected]