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 A new tag rugby programme for 11 to 14-year-old disabled athletes in Worcestershire was launched on July 5, 2006 by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and Worcester Warriors, thanks to financial support from Worcester-based utility provider npower and Sportsmatch funding.
This programme is to be rolled out across Worcestershire special schools during the 2006-07 season. The sponsorship of EFDS and Worcester Warriors’ main sponsor, npower, has been matched by the Government's Sportsmatch funding scheme, enabling the programme to get off the ground.
Tag rugby’s new to Midlands-based disabled youngsters, although other EFDS regions have already implemented programmes successfully. The Worcester Warriors community department has worked in close co-operation with the English Federation of Disability Sports to design a programme to meet the needs of disabled children, based on the Warriors’ experience of coaching around 1,000 children a week from mainstream schools in tag rugby. 
EFDS regional development manager Dennis Hodgkins describes this exciting development for disability sport in the Midlands.
“Worcester already has a successful tag rugby programme for mainstream school students. Having the funds to adapt it will give local disabled children opportunities to participate in a sport, which has, until now, been closed to them. We're hoping that this programme will be rolled out across the Midlands, taking it to schools in Staffordshire and Shropshire next year.”
Dan Zaltzman, community development manager at Worcester Warriors, explains how the youngsters will benefit from the programme
“TAG rugby allows youngsters of all abilities to have fun while increasing spatial awareness, highlighting evasion techniques, and most importantly raising self esteem – all skills needed to enjoy sport and everyday life to the full. We're delighted to be involved in developing the game to include more players. It's going to break down a major pre-conception that rugby’s restricted to able-bodied athletes.”
 
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