Warriors celebrate milestone with mixed ability game
LLANELLI Warriors are celebrating their 25th anniversary with their most prestigious fixture to date.
It is also one that launches a new concept in mixed ability rugby.
On Saturday at Cardiff Arms Park, the Warriors will be the first opponents of the Mixed Ability Rugby Invitationals club.
The game has been four years in the making. Back in 2017, Warriors coaches Jamie Evans and Gwilym Lewis were discussing the concept of mixed ability rugby, including players with and without disabilities in the same team.
The idea of an international representative side was dismissed as it would require qualification based on disability, which is at odds with the mixed ability concept.
Instead, an invitational team was discussed, a side who could reward players and clubs. And so MARIs was formed.
The Welsh Rugby Union came on board and suggested the Arms Park as a venue as the project began to generate momentum.
Mr Evans said: “We talked about rugby experiences and some of the characters that we knew in the mixed ability community and a way of giving them and mixed ability rugby some recognition.
“For this first game the team will meet up the day before the game, train in Canton and stay at the Angel Hotel.
“Obviously it’s fantastic to play at Cardiff Arms Park, and we also have a big night planned afterwards.”
The final team features players from 16 clubs and no fewer than seven countries. Betws, where Mr Lewis has played for 29 years, is the club with the biggest representation, and it is a family affair with both his brothers playing and his son Dion captaining the team.
“Obviously I wanted to assemble a team that meant something to Gwilym,” added Mr Evans.
“Betws don’t have a mixed ability team, but they are one of several clubs that are crucial to the Warriors.
“The mixed ability community couldn’t exist without sides like Betws and all the players involved have played in numerous mixed ability matches.
“It may not be a surprise to see players from England, Ireland and even Italy represented, but the team will also have representatives from further afield such as the Basque Country, Holland and Spain.
“It’s going to be a fantastic experience for all the players coming together, a real melting pot of cultures.
“It’s also going to be a great experience for the Warriors, a fantastic way to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
“I think it’s fitting that we celebrate Gwilym’s 50th birthday like this. He has been the driving force in establishing the Warriors, but has always looked to promote the concept of mixed ability rugby.
“He’s not only seen mixed ability rugby spread in recent years, but has been a significant part of that development.”