Sport

Sense Rugby: Making the game accessible for all kids

07:55 am on 1 October 2020

Rugby's supposedly a sport for people of all shapes and sizes - and while many youngsters want to give the game a go, the traditional weekend model doesn't work for everyone.

Erin Rayner (therapist) and Euan Lord soaking up the sun and fun of Sense Rugby. Waikanae Park. 2020. Photo: RNZ

That's where Sense Rugby comes in - a rugby based occupational therapy programme designed to help kids who might find it difficult to be part of a sports team.

The children may have disabilities, be neurodiverse, experience anxiety or have differences in their attention, sensory and social needs.

As RNZ's Joe Porter found out - the programme, supported by New Zealand Rugby, aims to accomodate and adapt its approach to sport to ensure they can participate and feel included.