This term we are working with the Exeter Chiefs community rugby team to deliver adapted rugby sessions for young people in our specialist College.

Coaches Tom and Aron joined us last week for the first of six sessions. They spent time with three of our student groups, including a session in our water therapy centre. Some of the people we support have much greater freedom of movement in the water, so it was a great way to help them to get involved with the activities.

It wasn’t the first trip to InFocus for Tom and Aron, who both visited us last year to find out more about our cause and what we do. They experienced some of our therapy sessions and learnt more about what life with a vision impairment might be like for some of the young people we support.

Thanks to the Community Chiefs brilliant adaptive rugby sessions, the young people at InFocus have been loving trying new ways of engaging with sport. Using special rugby balls with bells inside so those with a vision impairment can determine where the ball is, we’ve been practicing throwing, catching and kicking the ball. For some, these sessions are great for developing low vision strategies and co-ordination skills, and for others, it’s great to get active and encourage social participation.

We’re looking forward to future sessions already!

My son is absolutely loving the rugby sessions. He talks non stop about them when he’s home. Fab photos – he’s so happy!

Parent of College student