For some time, Ireland has only had one Tag rugby team which facilitates players with Special Needs – the Newforge Taggers, based in Belfast. Newforge Taggers sent out a press release, promoting Special Needs Tag rugby and seeking new Tag teams to be set up in order to provide competition in a league format.
The response to this, so far, has been very exciting with the formation of the ‘Seaside Sharkies’, a new youth team for Donaghadee RFC, which is supported by Ulster Rugby and Ards Borough Council.
The ‘Seaside Sharkies’ recently held a BBQ launch at Donaldson Park, the home ground of Donaghadee RFC.
Club leader Catherine Crawford commented: “We were unsure of what to expect in terms of how much rugby experience the players would have. However, our team of rugby coaches have been absolutely delighted at the talent on show.”
The Seaside Sharkies have opened up their age group and will now cater for ages 6-18. If anyone would like to come along and join the Donaghadee Seaside Sharkies, please contact Catherine or Kerry Crawford. (crawford_cthrn@yahoo.co.uk, crawford_kerry@yahoo.co.uk, or call 07783522771).
Hot on the heels of the Seaside Sharkies’ success, Dungannon RFC have launched the ‘Stevenson Sharks’ Special Needs Tag rugby team.
The club’s aim is to introduce and promote Tag rugby into the community, enabling people with a learning disability to participate and enjoy Tag rugby in the Dungannon, County Tyrone and wider mid-Ulster area.
Coaches of the Stevenson Sharks recently took part in a leprechaun rugby course, run by Brian O’Shaughnessy, a Senior Community Rugby Officer with the Ulster Branch. The presence of Newforge Taggers coaches Tim Craig and Sam McBurney gave the evening a great boost.
The Stevenson Sharks were also pleased to have Kerry Spence, a Support and Development Officer with Mencap, down to take part and to finish the evening with an informative talk on disability awareness and to explain the good work that Mencap does in the community to support and promote disability awareness.
The Stevenson Sharks are working towards Mencap accreditation.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Stevenson Sharks, please do not hesitate to contact club leader Justin Fitzpatrick by phone or email on 07730531456, jfitzpatrick@dungannonrugby.co.uk, stevensonsharks@hotmail.com.
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