Malone Tornadoes

Aim

MALONE TORNADOES: SUPPORTING ABILITY NOT DISABILITY. Supported by the IRFU, the Tornadoes were the first mixed ability rugby team in Ulster.

MALONE TORNADOES: SUPPORTING ABILITY NOT DISABILITY

As part of a pilot project, supported by the IRFU, the Malone Tornadoes became the first Mixed Ability Rugby team in Ulster, launching at the beginning of the 2018/19 season. The Tornadoes offer adults with a physical, mental or learning disability the opportunity to play 15-a-side rugby supported by experienced rugby players (facilitators). 

As Tornadoes, we come in all shapes, sizes and ages, but are bonded by our common love of rugby and desire for inclusion rather than exclusion. 

Disabilities come in many forms. Down’s syndrome might spring to mind but maybe not someone who was starved of oxygen at birth, or who acquired a brain injury. Some players suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Many are on the autism spectrum, and have conditions such as Asperger’s, which makes it difficult for them to engage with society. The conditions vary but not the enthusiasm for rugby or the healing hands of the sport. All play an important role in the team and are united under the banner of the Malone Tornadoes.

USING THE POWER OF RUGBY TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

Mixed Ability rugby takes the same format as any other rugby team across the land. We’re not a disability team; rather we are a team where anyone who wants to play regular full contact rugby is warmly welcomed (we even enjoy the odd pint or two after a hard nights training!!).

This summer the Tornadoes will participate in the Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup, to be held in Cork, in June 2022.

IMPACT OF COVID

The past 2 years have been a challenging time for the Tornadoes, and players, with our activities being seriously restricted due to the pandemic. 

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has both worsened existing inequalities and exposed new problems that disabled people face. During this time many disabled people and their families have said they've felt forgotten. The social lives of people with learning disabilities have been severely restricted during the pandemic and have yet to fully recover due to a lack of community activities, and less work and volunteering opportunities.

The physical health and emotional wellbeing of many people with learning disabilities has declined and often the support previously provided by the statutory services disappeared or were markedly reduced during 2020 and 2021.

Through rugby, we hope to redress these issues and commit to improve the lives of both our players, their families and our facilitators (many of whom have added to their waistlines over the past 2 years).

YOUR DONATION CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF ADULTS WITH A PHYSICAL, MENTAL OR LEARNING DISABILITY.

WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT 

One of the stated aims of Malone Tornadoes is to maximise the participation of adults with disabilities by minimising as many of the barriers to inclusion and participation as possible. One of the primary inhibitors to this goal is finance.

Many families who support a disabled adult often suffer severe financial hardship. Costs of specialist equipment, transport, external carers, loss of family income due to caring responsibilities, place families under considerable stress and financial hardship. 

Funds raised through this campaign will be used to support players and their families directly, by allowing the club to purchase specialist equipment, kit, cover transport and accommodation costs, organise social events etc., as well as providing the Tornadoes with long-term financial sustainability. 

Without your generosity we will struggle to broaden our reach, run taster sessions and encourage more players and facilitators to take up mixed ability rugby. In the near future we hope to setup the 1st all female mixed ability team in Ulster. 

Most importantly your donation will have a significant impact on changing the lives of adults with a physical, mental or learning disability.

(All of the facilitators are volunteers and receive no financial remuneration for their time and commitment.)

This project successfully funded on 11th May 2022