Terrigal Rugby Club and its Modified Rugby Program has been acknowledged in the Australian Parliament by Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP.

The Modified Rugby Program provides younger rugby players living with physical or mental disabilities with training opportunities that are tailored to their capabilities.

The concept behind the club’s Modified Rugby Program started in 2019, during COVID-19, which initially inhibited the development of the program.

After COVID-19, the program exploded with popularity and continues to grow with new participants.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP:

“I recently met with Terrigal Rugby Club and its President, Tim Larke, who informed me of their excellent program which removes barriers to playing sport and rugby union for younger people living with mental or physical disabilities.

“I knew then that this program deserved recognition and what better way to speak about the program than with my parliamentary colleagues in the Australian Parliament.

“I commend all the senior Terrigal Rugby Club players who help manage the program and who ensure training is tailored to participants.

“A huge thank you as well to Terrigal Rugby Club’s Secretary, Allison Farrelly, who has steered this program since its inception in 2019.

“I am told that the program will be even bigger in the seasons ahead with more sessions for interested players to get involved with”, Dr Reid said.

Quotes attributable to Terrigal Rugby Club Secretary, Allison Farrelly:

“The planning for our Modified Rugby Program began way back in 2019/2020, COVID-19 forced the cancellation of our first sessions.

“In 2021, we managed to get in a session or two before that terribly long lock down. We have managed to continue to grow our program despite these early setbacks, we battled a very wet rainy season in 2022.

“We continue to grow our program and the number of sessions each year. This year we are hoping to successfully host 6 sessions. This year we have seen one of our former participants join a team and is training and playing weekly in the U9’s competition, more recently we have been able to facilitate a young man so that he can attend training with our U15’s side and he even got on the field for some game time.

“I am currently working on arranging for another two of our participants to attend regular training with our U11’s. These are all enormous milestones and such successful outcomes for these players and their families.

“None of this would be possible, firstly, without the support of our committee, the committee have always supported every plan, idea, request that I have gone to them with, free BBQ and drinks, shorts, socks, old jerseys, training shirts, just to name a few of them.

“Secondly, without the senior playing group who always show up in numbers to get behind this, we wouldn’t be able to give the kids the experience we do or develop their skills. Though I’m not sure who enjoys it more the ‘little” kids or the “big kids”.

“Our players are instrumental in what we do and never shy away from joining in.

“I have also been fortunate to secure an occupational therapist, who is a former player. He attends every session and assists us to modify activities to suit each of the kids and their needs.

“Lastly, the families, without their trust and faith in us, and their continued support we wouldn’t have the kids there every session.

“We often take it for granted the opportunities that neuro-typical people have. To be able to give these children and their families that opportunity is priceless. The praise and thanks they give us makes us realise just how much they all get out of it and how much they appreciate that we do this for “their” kids.

“We regularly have grandparents, aunties, uncles and older siblings coming to our sessions to cheer the kids on.

“I am so incredibly proud of what we do and the success we have had. I hope to be able to continue to grow this over the coming years. Watching these children grow and develop is so special”, Mrs Farrelly said.

To get in touch with Terrigal Rugby Club, visit https://terrigalrugby.com/

Or call 0431 913 751 or email [email protected]

Terrigal Rugby Club is located at The Haven, Terrigal NSW 2260.

To read the speech, visit Hansard: Hansard - House of Representatives 14/08/2024 Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)

ENDS