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For Neil, Fenton and Michael, three Rocky Bay customers living at our Eden Hill Supported Disability Accommodation, rugby isn’t just a game, it’s a gateway to connection, confidence and being part of something bigger.
The group proudly plays for the All Abilities team at Perth Bayswater Rugby Club, where the focus goes far beyond winning. It’s about mateship, inclusion and the shared joy of taking to the field.
“I love the fun we have and the friendships I’ve made since we started playing,” says Michael, who exudes pride when he talks about the team he has been part of for just over a year.
Along with the trio having an immense amount of fun playing rugby, joining the All Abilities team is also a meaningful achievement as they had each set a personal goal to join a team sport.
Recently, Neil, Fenton and Michael experienced what can only be described as a ‘pinch me’ moment running onto the turf of HBF Park during half-time at a Western Force game. In front of a roaring crowd, they showed the Perth rugby community exactly what is possible when sport is accessible to everyone.
“For me, playing at the Force game was a dream come true,” says Michael. “I used to sit in those stands as a kid and watch. This time, I was out there playing! That’s something I’ll never forget.”
Neil agrees “I loved every minute of it. We had so much fun.”
Fenton sums up the magic perfectly, “The best part was hearing everyone cheer for us.”
But this moment under the stadium lights wasn’t just about rugby. For each of them, joining a team sport was a personal goal they had set, a milestone they have proudly reached with the support of Rocky Bay’s team behind them.
Their achievement is about more than rugby, it is about building connections, creating community and showing what is possible when people are empowered to achieve their goals, both on and off the field in this instance.
Perth Bayswater Rugby Club’s all-inclusive program welcomes individuals of all intellectual and physical abilities, fostering a safe and fun environment for learning rugby skills, improving fitness, and building lasting friendships.
At Rocky Bay, we know that opportunities like this create lasting impact and for Neil, Fenton, Michael and Theo, this is just the beginning.
*Images courtesy Perth Bayswater Rugby Club
“I loved every minute of the Force game. We had so much fun.”
- Neil