‘I never thought I’d play full contact’

Being the smallest player on his team does not bother Adam Frew as he prepares for the mixed-ability rugby world cup in Spain.

The 28-year-old, who is 5ft 4in (1.63m) tall and plays hooker, said he loves the “the camaraderie, the friendship, the fun and the fitness” of playing in the Belfast-based Malone Tornadoes squad.

The team includes the long-retired Scotland winger, Stewart Porter, and flanker Stephen McKinty who won the European Cup with Ulster in 1999 and current Ulster player Harry Sheridan.

“I never thought that being so small, and with a disability, I would ever have got to play full contact rugby,” said Adam.

“It has really kicked me into shape because before I would have just sat in the house and done nothing, and now that I’m playing rugby I’m like, ‘I have to get bigger, I have to get stronger’.”

In mixed-ability rugby matches, players with and without physical and learning disabilities, play together on the same team.

The world cup is taking place this week in Pamplona in northern Spain.

The tournament includes representatives from 24 rugby-playing countries including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales.

At the last World Cup, the Tornadoes were knocked out in the semi-final stage.

There are a number of family links within the squad, including father and son Niall and James Johnston, plus Harry Sheridan, his dad Barry and brother Will.

Harry said: “Mixed-ability rugby is a unique dynamic. There’s so much enjoyment that comes with it for everyone involved.”

Martin Halliday, whose disabled son Joshua is also in the squad, said the tournament in Spain is not being treated like a holiday.

“We’re not just going to play, we’re not just going to compete, we’re going to win,” he said.

That is also the message from the team captain Jacob Sullivan, 26, from Bangor.

He said: “I joined the Tornadoes in 2018. It’s changed my life forever. I love playing with my mates, and I think we can win the cup.”

There are 32 teams involved in the tournament, 24 in the men’s and eight in the women’s competition.

As part of their pre-tournament training, the Tornadoes trained with the full Ulster squad at the Kingspan stadium in Belfast.

In the group stage of the competition they are due to face teams from Italy, Spain, and England.

Although scrums are uncontested, the mixed-ability game is played in the official rugby format by 15-a-side teams, with rucks, mauls, and line-outs.

Each team is made up of ‘star players’ who have varied abilities and ‘facilitators’ who take part, mindful of the abilities of those around them.

Ashley Mulligan, one of the facilitators, believes mixed-ability rugby is more than just a sport.

He said: “It shows you what you can do. It’s about ability not disability – including people from every background, every shape, size, creed and colour.

“It’s such a welcoming environment.”

What unites the squad is a strong will to win.

The Tornadoes travel to Spain believing they can storm to victory.