‘Joy and laughter’: Leicester rugby team for children with Down syndrome | Down syndrome

A rugby team set up for youngsters with Down syndrome has been described as “a lifeline” by parents who say there is a chronic lack of opportunities for their children.

Leicester Tigers launched the team last October and now have over 40 families signed up to their fortnightly training sessions.

Kelly Towl, whose eight-year-old daughter Lucie-Ann attends the sessions, said the team had a positive impact on her daughter.

“There aren’t many sports that are exclusively for children with Down syndrome, so it’s positive that this is actually happening,” she said. “Your children are not judged, we are not judged…we are all in the same boat.”

Towl, a mother of three whose family are Leicester Tigers fans and regularly attend matches, said she was very excited about the opportunity for her daughter to take part in the sport.

“I think kids with Down syndrome are stereotyped … so this is really a lifeline and other sports and other teams should take note,” she said. “You just have to see the smile on their faces on a Sunday morning and the hug they give each other, it’s just tear-jerking.”

Judy Lindsay-Timmins, parent of Louis, 17, described the team as “a safe and wonderful environment for our young people” that developed her son’s communication, focus and confidence.

“Louis is very active, he loves being outside and being given the opportunity to join in sports just like anyone else,” she said. “He feels like he’s part of a team. A family group… because instead of being on the sidelines, he’s embraced, he’s part of it.”

Parents described the team as indispensable, especially because of the chronic lack of community groups for children and families with Down syndrome.

When asked if there are similar groups available in her local area, Lindsay-Timmons said, “No, definitely not. We live in Lincolnshire so we travel almost an hour so over 30 miles to come as there is nothing in our area.”

Coach Megan Kirby, 26, said the lack of opportunities for youngsters with Down syndrome inspired her to set up the team with the Leicester Tigers Foundation charity.

“I moved to the Midlands last year in about June and when I moved into my new role I saw that there wasn’t much going on in the East Midlands just for people with Down syndrome. So the idea of ​​starting a team came up and Leicester Tigers were really on board with it… it was the best decision I ever made.”

Kirby, an education officer at the Leicester Tigers Foundation, said he had seen “massive changes” in the children, with many proudly describing themselves as “Leicester Tigers players” and some older players coaching younger participants.

“It’s something I can get emotional talking about,” she said. “Some of the families have never met other children with Down syndrome before, so they just feel accepted … it’s just happiness and joy when we’re there.”

Kirby said he would encourage other sports teams across the country to introduce similar schemes following the success of their group.

“Come to one of our sessions, see how much joy and laughter they will bring to your life and theirs, and go. There is no negative in it at all, it is only positive,” she said.