People with additional needs in Wiltshire are using rugby to develop their confidence and interpersonal skills on and off the pitch with the help of an innovative initiative.

Project Rugby sessions delivered by the Bath Rugby Foundation at Mill Race Community Support Service in Calne are benefiting adults across the county, including 29-year-old Connor Tennyson.

Connor had never picked up a rugby ball prior to his first session but has subsequently attended training sessions with Melksham Stags, a local mixed ability rugby side, and continues to ask for more sports sessions at his day service.  

He said: “The sessions helped me step out of my comfort zone. Because of Covid, I was in my room for a while and that made it difficult to socialise.

“Project Rugby made it easier to interact with people again. It gave me a lot of confidence when I wasn’t at Mill Race and helped me take that confidence to do other things.”

Delivered in partnership with Gallagher, Project Rugby engages participants from traditionally underrepresented groups and facilitates sessions that are easily accessible.

The training sessions are delivered in local communities by coaches and volunteers from Premiership Rugby clubs and Club Foundations across the nation.

Due to his additional needs, Connor has found sport challenging to access and was apprehensive ahead of Project Rugby as he found interacting with others within a group setting difficult.

But he has thrived since linking up with the programme and, asked what he would say to someone who hasn't done the sport before, Connor said: “Give it a go. It is a really good sport, with really good activities, just give it a go.

“I liked taking part and going to different things. It's just been really great for my confidence.

“I've had some of my friends take part as well. If I'm feeling anxious or scared or anything, I can talk to them, and they can say nice things to me like: ‘there's no need to be scared, Connor. We're all here. We're all doing the same and will help each other.’”

Staff from Connor’s day service have also recognised how Project Rugby, which has seen over 100,000 people take part in its various activities since 2017, has boosted his confidence and reduced his anxiety of group interactions.

Jack Hill, a Community Inclusion Officer, said: "Working with Connor through Project Rugby was one of my first experiences after joining Bath Rugby Foundation.

“Being part of his journey and seeing his confidence grow thanks to Project Rugby and the Foundation's support has been phenomenal."

Andy Ferguson, Managing Director of Gallagher’s Bristol office, added: “Gallagher is proud to partner with Premiership Rugby to deliver Project Rugby, and it is clear that the initiative is having a really positive impact within communities.

“Connor’s story just shows that Project Rugby can have a transformative effect on young people by helping them build skills that they can use elsewhere and giving them new opportunities.”

Mandy Warren, one of Connor’s carers at Mill Race, said: “Since the programme, Connor has become much more tolerant and accepting of other people and better at interacting with people both in games and in a social forum.

 “As an example, I took Connor to a garden in bloom competition where we were commended for our Community Project Award and Connor functioned very well in a social setting. Project Rugby has definitely aided his confidence.

“Everyone has got Bath Rugby t-shirts now and Dan from Bath brought a different knowledge and enthusiasm.

“We had people that were maybe a bit reluctant to take part initially but by the end of it and because of the momentum and other people being involved, they really were encouraged to give it a go which is important because team sports can be really beneficial.”

To find your nearest Project Rugby session visit: www.premiershiprugby.com/community/project-rugby