Bath players provide star turn for children
More than 140 youngsters took part in the biggest mixed ability rugby event ever held in the South West this week at Bath Rugby Foundation’s annual Summer Scrum Festival. Children from four special educational needs and disabilities schools were invited to learn rugby skills from foundation coaches, who were supported by the majority of Bath Rugby’s senior squad, academy, coaches and staff. The youngsters, who all have a learning or physical disability, took part in rugby-based games and activities at Odd Down Sports Ground, before putting the skills they had learned into action in the afternoon in tag rugby matches. They also enjoyed riding around a track on adapted bikes. Participants came from Threeways in Bath, Fosse Way in Radstock, Larkrise School in Trowbridge and Mendip School, Shepton Mallet. Bath Rugby Foundation’s senior coach, Becks Toan, who organised the event, said: “It’s been a really special and inspirational day. “We had more than 140 students who have special needs and disabilities attend and it’s about them having a day of sport, learning rugby and meeting some of their Bath Rugby superheroes. “Seeing a child’s face when they are on a wheelchair-adapted bike for the first time is truly priceless – you’ll never forget it. “It’s really nice to see them learning rugby skills that they’ve never learnt before. As a coach, one of the biggest barriers is the fact they think they can’t do it because they have a disability or a special need, and when they find they can kick a ball properly – even just a little bit – it creates a memory which has a huge, lasting effect on them.” Todd Blackadder, Toby Booth, Darren Edwards and Stuart Hooper were joined by more than 30 senior and academy players from Bath Rugby, as well as staff from the club’s ticket office and shop, kitchen and communications office. Director of rugby Blackadder said: “It’s important we get behind Bath Rugby Foundation because they do a lot of great work with children and young people in Bath, but also just being here you can see the enormous benefits it has for the children. “Everyone is really happy and laughing and it’s a big day out for them all.” Club captain Matt Garvey added: “It’s been an amazing day. We’ve not only had players here, but Bath Rugby staff, coaches and even our CEO Tarquin Mcdonald. “It’s been a big club effort and it’s an honour to support the work of the Foundation.” Each participant on the day left with a certificate of achievement, presented to them by Bath Rugby players. Summer Scrum is funded by Premiership Rugby and Comic Relief.