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Mencap blog: 'Our rugby team is one giant family'

As Australia and New Zealand get ready to face each other in the Rugby World Cup 2015 final this weekend, Mencap shares Ashan's story about playing for England's first mixed ability rugby team.

It’s often said that rugby is the ultimate team sport. Ashan Sakander is captain of the Bumble Bees, England’s first mixed ability rugby team. He shares his story of scrums, tries and line outs – and hopes that one day someone with a learning disability will play for England.

Ashan's story:

Rugby is very important to me. I like watching it but I like playing it more!

I play for the Bumbles Bees, who are England’s first mixed ability rugby team. We have players with and without learning disabilities and we are all equal members.

I started in 2009 when some people from my college wanted to play. Although I had never played rugby before, it is something I wanted to try and then found out that I loved playing. I am tall and strong and so I play at number 8 in the forwards. I get involved in tackling, passing and running and so my position is very important.

Our rugby team is like one giant family. We all help each other out on and off the field and have a lot of fun together. We train together, play rugby together and socialise together. My favourite part is going on tours.

I have been to Wales, Scotland and France with the team and it’s brilliant. I get to meet new friends, see new places and to feel like I belong. It doesn’t matter if you have a disability or not, everyone is equal. I am also the captain and so have extra responsibility.

We have just had the first mixed ability rugby world tournament with 9 countries represented. My team came second after losing 26-19 to the Irish team in the final. Thousands of people came to watch the games and enjoyed watching. I scored the winning try in a group game against the Spanish team.

Although mixed ability rugby is new, it is growing and we have the support of the Rugby Football Union, the organising body in England, which is great. I hope that one day we will see a player with a learning disability playing for the full England side. It would be great if this happens as people with a learning disability are very capable and rugby allows us to show that.

Find out more about Bumble Bees rugby.

photo credit: Mencap

Mencap Sport believes that people with a learning disability should have the same opportunities to participate, enjoy and excel in sport at all levels. They are currently working in partnership with Special Olympics GB to promote sport and physical activity opportunities for people with a learning disability.