Feature, 10 Feb
FROM ‘BUMBLE’ BEGINNINGS: THE GROWTH OF MIXED ABILITY RUGBY
- The birth of a mixed ability rugby team
- Bumble Bees Barbarians have been running since 2008
When Anthony Brooke wrote a letter in 2008 asking about opportunities to play full contact rugby in West Yorkshire he can’t have foreseen the consequences.
Born with cerebral palsy and learning difficulties, Anthony grew up as a passionate fan of the sport but never had the opportunity to play. Up until 2008 he had been encouraged to take part in tag rugby or alongside other disabled players but he wanted more, and the letter changed that.
“I remember reading Anthony’s letter and immediately thinking there was an opportunity here to grow the game,” said Hamish Pratt, rugby development officer in the region. “Anthony didn’t want to play a version of the game, he wanted to play the real thing alongside able-bodied players and I wanted to help him do that.”
Hamish worked with Mark Goodwin, now the director of International Mixed Ability Sports, in approaching Bradford and Bingley RFC who agreed to host the first ever training session.
Pratt remembers the first session well, it marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. “Four players turned up. But what began as a casual arrangement with a few of us throwing the ball around grew quickly when word began to spread.”
Using local disability services to spread their message, they were able to attract more and more players and it wasn’t long before Bumble Bees Barbarians were born, becoming England’s first mixed ability rugby team.
| The principles of Mixed Ability Rugby |
|---|
| Players: Mixed ability rugby is fully inclusive and all players are welcome. |
| Rules: The game is played in line with all the rules of a regular match aside from scrums which are uncontested. |
| Principles: Able-bodied players act as facilitators or helpers to guide players on the pitch. |
“There are obviously challenges that come with coaching a team of mixed ability players but what made it possible was a flexible coaching style and most importantly the willingness of the players to learn. They were so keen to play real rugby and that’s been a huge driving force,” says Pratt.
The Bumble Bees Barbarians were soon playing regular matches against local able-bodied teams and there have been several landmark moments along the way. From playing their first international mixed ability game against the Llanelli Warriors to winning a RFU President's Beyond Rugby award. Anthony’s efforts were even recognised by David Cameron who awarded him the ‘Point of Light’ award in 2014.
With the eyes of millions of fans focused firmly on the Rugby World Cup last year, a tournament taking place in Bradford played host to another significant rugby event.
The Mixed Ability Rugby World Tournament saw 400 players from 10 countries compete in the first competition of its kind. The Bumble Bees reached the final, losing out to Irish side Sunday’s Well Rebels.
In the eight years since Anthony established the club, the Bees have gone on to transform the lives of its players, giving them opportunities, qualifications and skills they otherwise wouldn’t have had while also driving the growth of mixed ability sport internationally. Not a bad result from what began as a letter.
Inspired to try rugby yourself? Find a club local to you here.
The next Bumbles match takes place on Saturday, 27 February, as Bumbles Bees take on the Houses of Parliament RUFC at Richmond Athletic. Kick off 1pm. For more information on Mixed Ability Rugby go to www.mixedabilitysports.org
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