Glossop Rugby Club organised their first ever mixed-ability training session recently.

The club invited students from New Bridge school in Hollinwood, and Springbrook School in Oldham to take part in their 'Mixed Ability Rugby Festival', 

The session was set up to give those with disabilities and learning difficulties the chance to take part in sport, in a safe and comfortable environment. 

Peter Thompson, the President of Glossop Rugby Club said: "We're a very inclusive club, we want to introduce as many people as we can to the sport of rugby, we don't think of ourselves as just a rugby club, we're a community hub and it's important that everyone is given an opportunity to play sport.

"The aim is to get a team going in the future, Audenshaw for example has a mixed-ability team so it's something we can look to do and hopefully a league system can be put together across the North West in the near future" said Peter. 

Ross Smith, the head of PE at Springbrook, one of the schools involved with the event, said "My job is to lead the curriculum for young people with SEMH (Social Emotional Mental Health), it's about getting them engaged in physical activity. For our young people, it's crucial, a lot of them tend to go home from school and stay at home, they don't engage in as many social activities as others might, so it's great for them and their mental health". 

If you know of any young person or adult with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and those recovering from mental health problems that would like to come and have a taster session please do contact Glossop RUFC. Mixed Ability Rugby is all inclusive, and they would also loge to hear from ex players who have now found it too demanding to play for senior teams, your involvement and experience would really be appreciated.