Unified rugby – The Clan
Unified rugby is set up for players with physical & learning disabilities to play alongside able bodied players (enablers).
There are 7 teams throughout Scotland who play against each other and also against main stream clubs, to help showcase the game, and how it benefits the players.
The teams also regularly attend rugby festivals throughout the summer playing 7s & 10s. This has been a great success because with less ‘enablers’ on the pitch it give the players more space and opportunities to play they’re game and allow more running rugby.
Borders Clan v Edinburgh Clan : Sunday 16th October
Hawick RFC were honoured to be asked to host the latest Clan fixture between the Borders and Edinburgh this weekend, when the teams ran out of the tunnel and onto the hollowed turf at Mansfield park.
This being the first game for a lot of the players since the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions being out in place.
To say there was excitement within both squads, before kick off would be an understatement, and it certainly showed on the pitch with 15 players with Learning and Physical disabilities taking part, and some great running rugby from both sides to entertain the crowd. Ultimately and most importantly the camaraderie and crack in the clubhouse after the game was great, which players, parents and enablers all enjoying some great banter.
The result was a close one, with the Borders running out winners by the odd score 26 – 22 showing great spirit to comeback late in the game, after going behind early in the second half. Ultimately however, with smiling faces all around, it was the great game of rugby which was the winner.
Playing in the Borders Clan team was Hawick’s own Craig Pretswell, who became a Scottish Tri Rugby International before the Covid Pandemic lockdown. Craig will be looking to increase his haul of Scottish Caps, when representative Clan rugby begins again.
