The CARA National Adapted Physical Activity Centre in conjunction with the Irish Rugby Football Union and with the support of the Department of Justice and Equality, announced their second Xcessible Youth Sport Initiative aimed at increasing awareness of participation opportunities for children with disabilities in sport and physical activity.
Xcessible Inclusive Youth Sport is a three year initiative funded by the Department of Justice and Equality and officially launched the Adapted Tag Rugby Programme at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin last week.
The focus of this year’s initiative is to provide:
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children with intellectual disabilities opportunities to participate in an adapted version of Tag Rugby at a local level through a school – club link development.
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One of the aims of the initiative is to facilitate links between National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and Disability Organisations in order to facilitate easy access and choice for children with disabilities in physical activity and sport.
Cavan Sports Partnership are delighted that Virginia Rugby Club have agreed to support the role out of this initiative in Cavan, with Holy Family School Cootehill and Knocktemple National School (NS) both registering interest in the programme which is set to start in February.
The Adapted Tag Rugby game will be implemented on a weekly basis within Special Schools with support from Cavan Sports Partnership Sports Inclusion Disability Programme, Irish Special School Sports Council and Virginia Rugby club. This exciting initiative will open new sport and participation opportunities for children with disabilities with a focus on participating in Tag Rugby at club and school levels.
“Scott Walker, Irish Rugby Football Union Director of Rugby Development , added “The IRFU’s values promote rugby as an inclusive sport and our partnership with CARA will open the game up to more people and increase the number of kids engaging in physical activity and enjoying the fun and other benefits rugby can deliver.
We are pleased that 11 clubs have already signed up to the eight week programme, and while many of these clubs had already engaged in disability rugby programmes we hope that the new school –club link can deliver more sustainable opportunities for kids with disabilities to experience and enjoy tag rugby with the local rugby club”
For further information on the Xcessible Inclusive Youth Sport Initiative
contact Dean McElroy, Sports Inclusion Development Officer, Cavan Sports Partnership
Call 087 262 3956
or [email protected]
