As part of Scarlets v Edinburgh match day activities, we will celebrate and promote inclusion in our sport and communities with events pre-match and at half-time.
Ahead of the fixture, we chatted to Oli West, Scarlets Inclusion Officer, who is passionate about making rugby and its values accessible and fun to as many individuals and groups as possible across our community.
Q: How did you get involved in community rugby?
“I’ve been playing rugby with Swansea Uplands RFC, for around 20 years, so the sport has always been a focal point in my life. When I finished University I started working in a school as a one-to-one teaching assistant and had the opportunity to teach PE and work with youngsters with muscular dystrophy and autism moving on to work in schools that support special needs. I then joined Ysgol Heol Goffa in Llanelli as a WRU Hub Officer where I delivered rugby programmes for three years.
“My eldest son is severely autistic, so the chance to work with pupils with a range of physical abilities as well as social, emotional and behaviour needs is close to my heart. When the Scarlets created a dedicated role in its community team to focus on inclusion in the sport, I jumped at the chance to bring all of this together. It’s been an easy transition into the role and I am thoroughly enjoying it because of the breath of work it involves.
Q: Who do you partner with across the community currently?
“It’s such a broad range. We have three busy ICCs (Inclusive Community Clubs) that we are running in our Scarlets region, with the biggest numbers and geographical spread we’ve ever had in the history of this club. We run sessions to give young people with disabilities aged six to 16 the opportunity to play rugby and other PE games which we make as sensory and fun as possible.”
Here’s just a few of the groups we work with and events we host:
- Disability Six Nations
- Deaf community rugby events
- Scarlets Wheelchair Rugby
- Mixed ability rugby teams: Llanelli Warriors / Pembrokeshire Vikings
- Walking rugby for older rugby lovers
- EYST rugby partnership for ethnic minority rugby programmes
- Syrian Refugees rugby group (in partnership with Llanelli Town Council)
- Rugby for travelling community (in partnership with Carmarthenshire Council)
- ALN (additional learning needs) Fit Fed Fun camps
Q: What does it mean for those who get involved?
“It’s about providing experiences that give those with disabilities and their siblings the chance to have fun, engage with games and activities and give parity and access to sport in the same way as others. It’s also really great for parents as it creates a hub and social network for families to come together. It’;s about bringing it all together. For example, when you see youngsters of all abilities playing wheelchair rugby against their friends and everyone’s involved it really is brilliant to witness how thrilled they are.”
“Scarlets prop Sam Wainwright has supported our mixed ability teams, bringing ideas and insights into training and the players react so well to getting tips from a professional player. People have a perception of disability and mixed ability rugby – but it’s the same style of rugby session and I think it’s even more enjoyable when you get to see the experience you provide for the players.
“The social side is really important, we had one young guy who at 19 didn’t want to engage with college and being part of Llanelli Warriors was his entire social network, training on a Thursday and playing on a Saturday was a key focal point for getting him out of the house and engaging with others.
What are your goals in the coming months?
“To provide more outreach – more taster events for more groups and individuals and to spread the word about what we are doing and what access we can provide. We want more people to know about the range of work we’re involved in supporting and to know we’re here to help.
“We are very fortunate and grateful to have the backing and funding from the Phil Bennett Foundation which can help fund resources within the Scarlets Community Foundation as well as the WRU. If anyone does want to find out more visit www.scarlets.wales/contact-us
“We have lots of projects in the pipeline – it’s going to be a very busy year! We are running sessions with Syrian refugees in association with Llanelli Town Council and had really good engagement so we’ll look to set up our own Scarlets mixed nationality sessions for those who have been forcibly displaced from their home countries.
“We’re working with the Gateway Resort on a programme with the travelling community in partnership with Carmarthenshire Council to provide open rugby sessions – there’s been a lot of energy around these.
“Plus we’re working on sessions with EYST at the Mosque in Haverfordwest, providing Rugby Leaders training and equipment to run rugby programmes with the aim of linking players into rugby clubs. We have a presence at Llanelli Pride and will look to set up another rugby club for IGR players in addition to links with the Swansea Vikings.
“We’re also working with local authorities on setting up a homeless rugby programme and a special programme for schools with youngsters with behavioural issues.”
What’s the best part of the job?
“I think the satisfaction you get when all the hard work pays off. You see the impact. You feel the difference your work is making. You look forward to the weekly sessions where there are lots of smiles on faces. That’s it really. The joy that it can bring people.”