A New Model for Inclusive Sports? An Evaluation of Participants’ Experiences of Mixed Ability Rugby
Sport has been recognised as a potential catalyst for social inclusion. The Mixed Ability Model represents an innovative approach to inclusive sport by encouraging disabled and non-disabled players to interact in a mainstream club environment. However, research around the impacts of the Model is cur...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cogitatio
2017-06-01
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| Series: | Social Inclusion |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/908 |
| _version_ | 1828368585689399296 |
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| author | Martino Corazza Jen Dyer |
| author_facet | Martino Corazza Jen Dyer |
| author_sort | Martino Corazza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sport has been recognised as a potential catalyst for social inclusion. The Mixed Ability Model represents an innovative approach to inclusive sport by encouraging disabled and non-disabled players to interact in a mainstream club environment. However, research around the impacts of the Model is currently lacking. This paper aims to contribute empirical data to this gap by evaluating participants’ experiences of Mixed Ability Rugby and highlighting implications for future initiatives. Primary qualitative data were collected within two Mixed Ability Rugby teams in the UK and Italy through online questionnaires and focus groups. Data were analysed using Simplican et al.’s (2015) model of social inclusion. Data show that Mixed Ability Rugby has significant potential for achieving inclusionary outcomes. Positive social impacts, reported by all participants, regardless of (dis)ability, include enhanced social networks, an increase in social capital, personal development and fundamental perception shifts. Factors relevant to the Mixed Ability Model are identified that enhance these impacts and inclusionary outcomes. The mainstream setting was reportedly the most important, with further aspects including a supportive club environment and promotion of self-advocacy. A ‘Wheel of Inclusion’ is developed that provides a useful basis for evaluating current inclusive sport initiatives and for designing new ones. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T06:12:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-26a21ed7ddcd441d866ab65308a7fef7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2183-2803 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T06:12:59Z |
| publishDate | 2017-06-01 |
| publisher | Cogitatio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Inclusion |
| spelling | doaj.art-26a21ed7ddcd441d866ab65308a7fef72022-12-22T02:08:19ZengCogitatioSocial Inclusion2183-28032017-06-015213014010.17645/si.v5i2.908512A New Model for Inclusive Sports? An Evaluation of Participants’ Experiences of Mixed Ability RugbyMartino Corazza0Jen Dyer1International Mixed Ability Sports, UKSustainability Research Institute, University of Leeds, UKSport has been recognised as a potential catalyst for social inclusion. The Mixed Ability Model represents an innovative approach to inclusive sport by encouraging disabled and non-disabled players to interact in a mainstream club environment. However, research around the impacts of the Model is currently lacking. This paper aims to contribute empirical data to this gap by evaluating participants’ experiences of Mixed Ability Rugby and highlighting implications for future initiatives. Primary qualitative data were collected within two Mixed Ability Rugby teams in the UK and Italy through online questionnaires and focus groups. Data were analysed using Simplican et al.’s (2015) model of social inclusion. Data show that Mixed Ability Rugby has significant potential for achieving inclusionary outcomes. Positive social impacts, reported by all participants, regardless of (dis)ability, include enhanced social networks, an increase in social capital, personal development and fundamental perception shifts. Factors relevant to the Mixed Ability Model are identified that enhance these impacts and inclusionary outcomes. The mainstream setting was reportedly the most important, with further aspects including a supportive club environment and promotion of self-advocacy. A ‘Wheel of Inclusion’ is developed that provides a useful basis for evaluating current inclusive sport initiatives and for designing new ones.https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/908disabilityinclusive sportsMixed Ability Modelrugbysocial inclusionsocial networkssport |
| spellingShingle | Martino Corazza Jen Dyer A New Model for Inclusive Sports? An Evaluation of Participants’ Experiences of Mixed Ability Rugby Social Inclusion disability inclusive sports Mixed Ability Model rugby social inclusion social networks sport |
| title | A New Model for Inclusive Sports? An Evaluation of Participants’ Experiences of Mixed Ability Rugby |
| title_full | A New Model for Inclusive Sports? An Evaluation of Participants’ Experiences of Mixed Ability Rugby |
| title_fullStr | A New Model for Inclusive Sports? An Evaluation of Participants’ Experiences of Mixed Ability Rugby |
| title_full_unstemmed | A New Model for Inclusive Sports? An Evaluation of Participants’ Experiences of Mixed Ability Rugby |
| title_short | A New Model for Inclusive Sports? An Evaluation of Participants’ Experiences of Mixed Ability Rugby |
| title_sort | new model for inclusive sports an evaluation of participants experiences of mixed ability rugby |
| topic | disability inclusive sports Mixed Ability Model rugby social inclusion social networks sport |
| url | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/908 |
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