The Leicester Tigers Down Syndrome Rugby Team was established in October 2023 with the aim of providing sporting opportunities for people with Down Syndrome in an inclusive environment. Rugby is more than a sport, it’s a tool for social development and should be accessible to everyone. We noticed that there was a distinct lack of opportunities within the Down Syndrome community and we wanted to change this.
Dyno-Rod are a national plumbing and drainage company who have been partnered with the Club since 2023. The foundation of our successful partnership with Dyno-Rod is built on a positive transfer of values. Dyno-Rod support over 10,000 individuals in grassroots sports across the country. Through our current collaboration Tigers saw an opportunity to elevate their national initiative to include the Down Syndrome Rugby Team.
Their sponsorship enables the club to offer free tag rugby training for individuals with Down Syndrome, helping us break down barriers to participation for both players and their families. We raised awareness of our initiative by creating a campaign of videos using high-profile Tigers athletes to amplify the message. The programme received dedicated coverage from national and local media including outlets such as The Guardian and BBC News.
As a result of the programme, Tigers have been able to consistently deliver rugby to over 70 people with Down Syndrome. Through the continued support of Dyno-Rod, Leicester Tigers have been able to extend the programme beyond rugby to create a new support group for families in our community.
