Mixed Abilities

We believe that rugby is for everyone. Our goal as a club is to provide our community with an inclusive space to learn and play rugby.

Mixed abilities sport is an innovative approach to sport where barriers to participation are removed, and the goal is to create a supportive environment where everyone can compete and play at the maximum of their ability. It follows the standard sport rules, while only making minor adjustments to take into account individual participant needs. It’s a chance for everyone to play together: people with visible and invisible disabilities, with decades of experience or none at all, with fresh faces or more than a little grey hair. As the Abilities Centre so elegantly puts it: “unlock potential through accessibility”.

Rugby is a game that lends itself to the mixed abilities approach, as every position on the field requires different skills and a complete rugby team requires a range of strengths and abilities.

Our Mixed Abilities program

In 2023, Muddy York was the second team in North America — and first in the IGR — officially recognized as an Affiliate to Mixed Abilities Sport. As a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive club, offering a mixed abilities program is critical to our belief that rugby is for all. As a diverse group of individuals, we often come from a path where we were told we didn’t belong in sports. Through mixed abilities, we can come through that door and hold it open for others.

At Muddy York, we offer a non-contact flag program to our Mixed Abilities Players. With our team of coaches dedicated to seeing the success of this program succeed, we strive to be a leader in mixed abilities rugby locally and worldwide.