Bears set to offer new modified rugby union program for children

The Toowoomba Bears are offering exciting new playing opportunities for young players.

Alongside USQ the Bears will be offering a modified rugby program this year.

With Bears on board 10 more boys and girls aged 7-13 years old with learning and perceptual disabilities will have the opportunity to move off the sidelines and into the main game.

Bears will host a muster and sign on day this Sunday, March 11 from 3pm at Heritage Oval.

MRP is a new, modified form of touch rugby, established by GingerCloud Foundation, specifically developed for girls, boys and young adults with learning and perceptual disabilities.

“We are thrilled to be delivering the program, allowing these children to experience the sheer thrill of playing rugby, often for the very first time,” Toowoomba Bears president Owen Kleidon said.

At its core, the MRP program is about helping children experience success in line of their own development.

The program embodies the essence of rugby, a sport which embraces inclusion and diversity.

“The opportunity to bring families together within the Toowoomba community who, traditionally, would not have had the chance to participate is heart-warming,” he said.

Uniquely, each MRP Player is individually matched with their own PlayerMentor, who are trained to become leaders of the future, creating a generation of people for whom disability is normalised.

With the exponential success since piloting at Brothers Rugby Club in 2014 more than 300 girls, boys and young adults will experience the healing power of rugby across Queensland and the ACT during 2018 season.

It has created life-changing opportunities for Max, the son of Brisbane parents and founders of GingerCloud’s MRP, Megan and Anthony Elliott, who has a significant learning and perceptual disability.

“The lift in confidence for Max and other kids in life generally is amazing their therapy is basically on a rugby field,” Megan Elliott said.