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Rugby Canada supports Inclusive Rugby Program in Ottawa

Paul Hunter
Rugby 15s Senior Women, Rugby 15s Senior Men

Over 140 athletes were introduced to rugby at another successful RugbyCAN inclusive rugby event in Ottawa on Wednesday, at Carleton University.

The event had great support, with the athletes being coached by members of the Carleton University men’s and women’s rugby teams, as well as local rugby club coaches. Rugby Canada staff were also on hand to support the event, along with World Rugby Hall of Fame member Al Charron, and Interim Director of Rugby Development Paul Hunter.
 
RugbyCAN, since its inception in October 2017, has been providing sessions for athletes with special needs in Ottawa, which has led to the formation of Canada’s first mixed abilities rugby team. The athletes work with experienced rugby mentors to learn about the game of rugby. With the main goal of creating a fun and safe environment, they also look to develop skills through modified activities and play real non-contact rugby games.
 
The program aims to create a welcoming environment that anyone can join in with, whether it’s the mom, dad, brother or sister, new to rugby or experienced in rugby, there is truly a place for everyone. With over 150 kids attending this year’s jamboree, the numbers have almost doubled from last year’s inaugural jamboree.
 
The RugbyCAN inclusive rugby program shares a common goal with Rugby Canada, with the mandate of growing the sport of rugby in Canada. Rugby Canada has placed an emphasis on introducing the sport to Canadians at a younger age, through the organization’s national grassroots program, Rookie Rugby. This program introduces the game of rugby in a safe way for kids of all ages. The game is a non-contact form of rugby using flag belts, allowing players to learn the basics while being active and having fun with their friends.Rookie Rugby has been supported by the program’s national Title and Presenting Partners, HSBC and Honda Canada.
 
Paul Hunter said ‘rugby is a sport that prides itself on core values, as well as creating a place for everyone of all abilities to play rugby. LeeAnn and her RugbyCAN team are an incredible group that are showing the power of rugby in creating a fun and safe environment for youngsters to play rugby”.
 
RugbyCAN is a volunteer organization established in October 2017 when Carleton University hosted a rugby jamboree. The first event had 80 athletes with special needs work with 40 athletes from Carleton University’s men’s and women’s rugby teams, as well as help from the Ottawa Beavers-Banshees and Ottawa Wolves.
 
For more information about RugbyCAN please contact LeeAnn Napiorkowski (LeeAnn.Napiorkowski@ocsb.ca)
 
Instagram: @OttawaMixedAbility
Twitter: #MixedAbilityRugby
Facebook: Ottawa Mixed Ability Rugby
 
For more information on HSBC Rookie Rugby Presented by Honda, please visit www.rookierugby.ca