Yorkshire RFU

Swansea Gladiators versus Halifax Magpies mixed ability RU facilitated by YM Nomads as able body players at Huddersfield YMCA Kick Off 12pm on the 1st team field as the curtain raiser to Yorkshire Carnegie V Ospreys

This is a quote from Stuart Hill at Halifax Magpies

When I was first asked to help set up a mixed ability rugby union team at Halifax RUFC I was extremely sceptical. I was certain I did not want to be part of a game that would have to be adapted to a degree whereby the key aspects of rugby were lost and the game became a staged event. In saying that however, my interest in how this concept would work in practice took me to a training session with the Bradford Bumble Bees. It was immediately apparent that my first thoughts were a long way off the mark and I started to think about what I could offer the game and vice versa.

Now part of the Halifax Magpie’s we are two years in to mixed ability rugby, we have completed our first tour and taken part in a World Challenge. For me the coaching goes well beyond the hours we spend on the park and I am immensely proud of the development the lads have shown both on and off the field. The rugby subculture is an excellent support for players of all abilities; the lads were immediately accepted as full members of the club and as a result of being in a typical rugby social environment have grown in confidence and self-esteem. The team in turn have proved to be a cornerstone of the clubs growing success. From a personal perspective the game has provided an opportunity to challenge myself, allowed me to learn and adapt but most importantly ensured my continued attachment with the club, and friends old and new.

Coaching wise, my advice would be to take it slow. The lads needs to build confidence and as a coach you need an opportunity to work out how they learn best, how the team fits together and what adaptations you need to make. Look at individuals strengths and set the drills up so that everyone can get involved. Talk to facilitators and give them specific roles, a little direction can help massively. When it comes to game day, the first game we played in quarters, which was a huge help. It allowed us to take stock and allowed the opponents an opportunity to work out the intricacies of the game.

Background to Swansea Gladiators

Swansea Gladiators RFC was formed in 1991 when a handful of staff and a group of adults from Fforestfach Social Activity Centre started throwing a ball around on a nearby piece of grass. It was the brain child of Neil Williams and Ray Cole who wrote a club constitution with the aim of founding an integrated rugby team comprising people with and without disability.

The club's first game was away to Gorseinon RFC later that year, at that time all matches were 'away' fixtures hosted by any club who offered a game. The Gladiators were offered a temporary home by both Waunarlwydd and Gowerton RFCs before settling in Morfa Stadium until it was demolished in 2003 to make way for the Liberty Stadium, home to the Ospreys and Swansea City AFC

Shortly after this the Glads were given a permanent home at Swansea Uplands RFC and continue to play most of their matches there although they maintain close links with occasional host Swansea RFC through mutual sponsors Stephen Hughes Fine Diamonds, Exall & Jones and Atlantic 03 Ltd.

The team plays full contact rugby, with minor adaptations and passive scrums, and over the years has played a variety of opposition, from youth teams and seconds to touring sides and veterans but it wasn't until the Llanelli Warriors were formed in 1995 that they faced Mixed Ability opposition.

The senior squad regularly tours to clubs in England, Ireland and Scotland and in 2010 toured to Canada to play Burlington RFC near Toronto; They also have plans to tour France, Italy and Spain.

A Junior Gladiators section was formed in 2007. They currently have about 30 children from all over Swansea, aged 6-13yrs, some with disabilities and some without; Encouraging and upholding our motto - Ad Amicitiam Sociali Ludo - Friendship Through Sport.

The club hopes to introduce a youth team in the near future which will feed into the Senior Gladiators, the aim being to give the juniors a progressive route into the world of senior rugby.