Rugby for all: Inclusive Festival lights up Family Fest

With four teams and nearly 100 participants involved, there were plenty of smiles as Edinburgh Inclusive Rugby Team, Ayrshire Clan, Strathmore Clan and Fife Clan went head-to-head before settling in for a night of BKT United Rugby Championship action.

It was a capital double on the night as Edinburgh Inclusive Rugby Team and Edinburgh Rugby both claimed big wins, with the inclusive side crowned champions during a half-time lap of honour and trophy presentation.

Scottish Building Society Chief Executive Officer Paul Denton was on hand to present the winning side with a trophy before the victorious squad received the adulation of the capital faithful during a lap of Hive Stadium at the interval.

Denton said: “I’m thrilled to have been a part of the Scottish Building Society Inclusive Festival last Saturday.

“It was an honour to meet the teams and present the winners, Edinburgh Inclusive Rugby Team, with their well-deserved trophy.

“Almost 100 players from around Scotland came together with a great display of community and teamwork to raise awareness of inclusive rugby.

“It was a special moment seeing the teams take part in their lap of honour in front a bumper crowd at Hive Stadium, their passion and love for the sport was clear to see.

“I hope the tournament encourages people to look at rugby differently, it really is a sport for all.”

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director Douglas Struth added: “A massive congratulations to all involved in Saturday’s inclusive festival.

“It was a joy to see nearly 100 participants playing the game we love in the shadow of Hive Stadium, teeing up a fantastic night of action in Hive Stadium.

“Watching the lap of honour, and hearing the reaction of the crowd, was a real reminder that this game is for everyone, and inclusive rugby really encapsulates that feeling.

“We hope to work with Scottish Building Society moving forward to put on more events like Saturday’s inclusive festival.”

Notes to editor

Inclusive Rugby involves both able bodied players and those with a physical or learning disability, playing in one unified outfit.

The Edinburgh Inclusive Rugby Team [EIRT] were welcomed by the club in 2021 to train at the home of Edinburgh Rugby – Hive Stadium – and take part in fixtures against other mixed ability teams and club teams from across the country and indeed Europe.

In 2022 EIRT took part in the International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament in Cork, Ireland.