In order to support the development of inclusive rugby and to promote opportunities for people with a disability to access the game, the IRFU aims to integrate as many players as is safe and practicable into existing rugby clubs, as well as partner with related disability organisations to provide rugby to players with a disability.

Our goal is to support participants with a physical, sensory or learning disability to achieve their potential through the game of rugby in a safe and inclusive manner. We also seek to identify issues that may affect those with disabilities who wish to access the game and address these needs to open the game to more people with a disability. 

We will do this by provision of 3 formats of the game, tag disability, mixed ability rugby and vision impaired touch rugby. We also provide disability specific information and training to volunteers and work to embed the principles of inclusion within coaching and club development practices. 

Tag Disability rugby is a non-contact format of rugby that develops running, balance and handling skills alongside passing and kicking rugby skills. It can be played by men, women and children of all ages and abilities, starting from 6-years of age. 

Mixed Ability rugby is a contact form of the game with some modifications, such as uncontested scrums. It is played by adults, with a mixture of people with and without disabilities on a team. As it is contact rugby, it is not a mixed gendered format of the game. There are currently 7 male and 3 female mixed ability rugby teams across Ireland. 

Vision Impaired Rugby, known as VI Rugby, is based around the Rugby 7’s touch format. The game takes into consideration a wide range of sight conditions whilst maintaining the fundamental laws of rugby. The IRFU works with Vision Sport Ireland and have one team as part of Old Wesley RFC for blind or partially sighted players.

A range of resources, such as guidance on setting up a mixed-ability team, rules for tag disability, vision impairments, autism-in-sport passport and hidden disability sunflower scheme is available through the IRFU Disability Officer, david.mckay@irfu.ieTraining is also available here: https://educationstore.irfu.ie/catalog?pagename=IRFU-SP-DEPT

Wheelchair Rugby is governed by the Irish Wheelchair Association. IRFU has a memorandum of understanding with IWA.  For further information see here: https://www.iwa.ie/sport/our-sports/wheelchair-rugby/

IRFU strives to ensure that every rugby club is a welcoming place where all players have a positive, lifelong experience in the game. Players can remain part of the Irish Rugby family throughout their lives, taking on roles that allow them to be the best version of themselves.

The IRFU is committed to providing opportunities for as many people as possible to play and participate in rugby, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. While each club should be that welcoming space, there are specific LGBTQ+ clubs that provide rugby in various formats for members of the LGBTQ+ community. These teams play under the governance of the IRFU and are members of International Gay Rugby, the representative organisation of the global LGBTQ+ global community that hosts tournaments in Europe and across the world. You can contact these teams via email: 

• Emerald Warriors (Leinster) - info@ewrfc.ie
• Cork Hellhounds - hell@corkhellhounds.ie
• Sarsfields (Limerick) - sarsfieldsrfc@gmail.com 
• Azlans (Belfast) - belfastazlans@gmail.com 

The formats of tag and touch are open to all players, while there are restrictions on some players in the contact format of the game. As it is physical; strength, stamina and physique can have an impact on safety, the inclusion of transgender and nonbinary players requires guidance to ensure that a player’s declared gender is balanced with the safety of all players.

These restrictions will depend on a combination of factors including the category of rugby that is to be participated in, the player’s biological sex and the level of competency to participate in the chosen category of rugby.

The IRFU, in conjunction with World Rugby, Sport Ireland, Sport NI and other organisations will continually monitor and review this policy in accordance with the most up-to-date research, recommendations and advice. A copy of the Gender Participation Policy is available by emailing safegaurding@irfu.ie 

Everyone deserves the chance to participate in sport and experience the positive things that sport can offer, be it as a fan, a player, or a coach or volunteer. LGBTQ+ inclusion has no off-season, so have a look at our 10 tips for being an ally to LGBTQ+ people in rugby below and/or take a look at the IRFU Diversity & Inclusion training to learn more, https://educationstore.irfu.ie/catalog?pagename=IRFU-SP-DEPT

Everyone deserves the chance to participate in sport and experience the positive things that sport can offer, be it as a fan, a player, or a coach or volunteer. LGBTQ+ inclusion has no off-season and is more than 1-month a year, so have a look at our 10 tips for being an ally to LGBTQ+ people in rugby:

1. Challenge anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes

Over the years, the culture around anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes started to shift in the sporting world. However, more than one in five sport fans still think anti-LGBTQ+ language is harmless if it’s meant as ‘banter’. Speak up when you see or hear anti-LGBTQ+ bullying or language. ‘Allyship’ is a doing word. Even if it feels hard to challenge, your actions can have a real impact and go a long way to making sure that sport is everyone’s game. For more information on appropriate inclusive language take a look at the IRFU D&I training module, https://educationstore.irfu.ie/catalog?pagename=IRFU-SP-DEPT

2. Celebrate LGBTQ+ people’s achievements in sport

It’s important to recognise and uplift LGBTQ+ people throughout the year, not just in the context of discrimination. This can be through sharing positive news stories or interviews with LGBTQ+ people in sports on your social media channels. Have you watched Joy Neville & Nick McCarthy: Coffee and Chats - Barriers & Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl7B7ZOfOZM or Mental Health & Advice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsiXlLC7ZrU . Can your club do a similar news stories involving your own members and/or local community?

3. Be an ally to LGBTQ+ who face multiple forms of discrimination

The fight against discrimination in sport has been and continues to be a long and difficult one. For LGBTQ+ people, sport can be an especially unwelcoming environment with barriers to inclusion and recognition. You can start to tackle discrimination by educating yourself about these issues. Have you and your club completed the ’IRFU diversity and inclusion training’? Why not share the link: https://educationstore.irfu.ie/catalog?pagename=IRFU-SP-DEPT 

4. Establish or re-establish the ground rules of respect and inclusion

Every team member plays a huge role in making people feel part of a team. Whether it’s in team talks, end of season speeches, WhatsApp groups or changing room chatter – is the Spirit of Rugby Charter on display in your club and do members know they sign up to it on registration, https://www.irishrugby.ie/participation/spirit-rugby/. This not only sets the tone of ‘Respect’ but also advocates members to speak up and not to be a bystander.

5. Make sure your club policies reflect inclusive values

For many, sport and sporting environments are ‘safe spaces’ - somewhere they feel comfortable and at ease. However, for some that same place might make them feel like they must hide part of their lives because of how others might react. Encourage your club to create a space where everyone can be themselves with respect for differences. See how this was for Darren Morrin from Malahide RFC https://www.irishrugby.ie/2022/06/23/lads-asked-the-question-and-i-said-yeah-i-was-gay-then-we-played-the-game-and-had-a-beer-afterwards

6. Be aware of the challenges your LGBTQ+ peers might be facing

Take the time to listen to LGBTQ+ people’s experiences. Consider the ways that they could be impacted by issues such as social isolation, healthcare inequalities, or discrimination at home, in the community, or at their place or work or education. Read how Coach Graeme McInerney believes that language on and around pitch matters, https://www.irishrugby.ie/2022/07/13/i-do-believe-that-we-need-to-be-careful-about-language-and-the-words-we-use-coach-to-coach-advice-on-being-more-inclusive

7. Be a visible ally 

Wearing Rainbow laces can go a long way to demonstrating commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Consider how you can support the Rainbow Laces campaign and be a visible ally throughout the year. https://www.belongto.org/rainbow-laces/ AND/OR https://stonewalluk.myshopify.com/collections/rainbow-laces 

8. Share your pronouns

Sharing your pronouns (if you feel comfortable), and suggesting your teammates or fellow fans do too, helps to create a culture where gender identity isn’t assumed. You can share your pronouns when introducing yourself to others, in your social media bio and/or in your e-mail signature.

9. Commit to continuous improvement

Whilst there can be some quick wins for LGBTQ+ inclusion, the real impact comes with continued effort. Ask yourself what else you could do to be an ally to LGBTQ+ people. Even better, ask some LGBTQ+ people too. Seek out opinions of your members as to what would help create a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community in and around your club.

10. Be consistent

Being an ally is about being consistent and looking out for your LGBTQ+ peers, no matter what. LGBTQ+ Inclusion has no off-season and even if it doesn’t matter to you, it will matter to someone in your club. 

IRFU aims to ensure equal treatment for all individuals so that the Irish rugby community is a safe and welcoming space, offering access to the game to those who wish to connect and thrive through rugby within a community that’s reflective of a diverse Irish society.

Following on from its attainment of the GOLD award by the Irish Centre for Diversity, IRFU has partnered with them to deliver anti-racism training across the organisation. This online training will assist clubs develop the knowledge and awareness they need to foster a supportive, inclusive culture. Training is available here: https://educationstore.irfu.ie/catalog?pagename=IRFU-SP-DEPT

We will also work with the Irish Centre of Diversity on a series of focus groups to gather insights into how the rugby community can be more welcoming to new audiences.