A Bradford-based organisation is pioneering change in sport and inclusion

International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS) came from the lack of opportunities for disabled people to take part in community sport without being segregated into disability specific groups.

The organisation recognises that it is everyone’s right to participate in sport and feel the benefits that being active can provide. IMAS includes people facing a whole range of barriers to participation, including physical and learning disabilities, mental and physical health conditions, age-related impairments, low confidence, or other personal circumstances alongside regular members of community sports clubs.

IMAS was inspired by the creation of the Bumble Bees rugby union team in 2009, when Anthony Brooke a young man from Bradford with cerebral palsy and learning difficulties insisted on his right to play the full contact version of the game. Anthony would not be persuaded to play ‘tag rugby’ and enlisted the support of his tutor, a local rugby club and existing players.

“I wanted to play rugby just like my mates. I wrote to England Rugby and told them what I wanted. Now I am a player and an IMAS Trainer. I go to clubs and tell them about Mixed Ability. There are loads of different sports now where people with disabilities can join in”.

The Bumble Bees can now call upon 40 registered players and the team have played in three Mixed Ability World Tournaments.

Earlier this year, Anthony was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) revealed in the King’s Honours list.

Over the last 12 months, IMAS trainers have reached over 1,000 health and social care professionals, delivering a package of training to social workers from Bradford Community Team, the Bradford Specialist Learning Disability Health Support Team, whilst providing placements to more than 40 healthcare students from four Yorkshire universities.

To find out more about International Mixed Ability Sports’ work, visit their website. For more information about the ongoing work of the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s Learning Disabilities Challenge, you can find out more on our website.