Brother's rugby dream comes true with Berkshire Brigands
Duncan Stonehouse wanted to play rugby like his brother Drew. Supporting him from the touchline for 11 years, he dreamt of playing competitive contact rugby alongside him, but because Duncan has Down’s Syndrome that was never likely to happen.
However, inspired by Duncan’s dream, the Berkshire Brigands were born during covid lockdown and launched on Saturday 26th September 2020.
Based at Reading RFC, they are the county’s first mixed ability team. In March 2021 not only did Duncan and Drew run out together, their sister Evie also took part, as the Brigands played their first-ever fixture against the Surrey Chargers.
Kate Stonehouse, the Brigands Community Manager and proud mum of Duncan and Drew, is not surprised by her sons’ passion for the game.
“Their dad, Colin, has loved rugby all his life,” said Stonehouse. “He has always been able to find a game, and the companionship of others equally hooked. Small wonder that our children have inherited his love of the game.
“Duncan has faithfully supported his brother from the side lines for 11 years without being able to take part and was increasingly expressing his wish to be involved. ‘I want to play like Drew!’ was what he told us.
“We really thought there was no way he could play – there were too many barriers. Then we stumbled across mixed ability rugby, and suddenly it was not only possible but there were clubs around the country who had been successfully doing it for years.
“There was even an international tournament, and support to start new teams from International Mixed Ability Sport.”
Duncan's mother overwhelmed by support
The proposed project gained traction in its infancy and has been going from strength to strength ever since with the outpouring of support seemingly non-stop.
It has encouraged more to follow in Duncan and Drew’s footsteps as the concept has reached further than just those with disabilities and autism.
“The joy of the game has just been shining out of everyone involved,” added Stonehouse. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received since suggesting the idea, and how committed everyone has been to make it happen.
"Duncan is finally playing rugby alongside his brother Drew and sister Evie, with other likeminded people, with or without disabilities or autism.
“The standard of rugby is astonishing, and just watching is a truly joyful experience. We are already finding that wherever Duncan goes, he finds others who love their rugby, and who are ready to offer their friendship”
Before their first match, the team's match shirt was presented by Peter Williamson, CEO of SecureCloud+, with the squad also receiving amazing support from Berkshire RFU, Get Berkshire Active, Sport England, partners Simon Shaw Rugby, Gilberts, Made For Drink, Toppesfield, Univar Solutions, and the local media including BBC South Today, Meridian TV and BBC Radio Berkshire.
The team behind the team
Head coach is Duncan Jones, who used to coach Reading Colts and is now on the Maidenhead Colts coaching team. Duncan, in his previous role as Reading community rugby coach, used to run training at Addington Special School and wanted to grow a mixed-ability club team as a result.
Coach, Beki Davies, began playing rugby at university, where she also completed her first coaching qualifications. Now retired from playing, she has been coaching teenagers and adults for the past 12 years, achieving her Level 3 qualification in April 2020 and is a qualified first aider.
Colin Young and Terry Hoare, who have used their vast club rugby experience leading and enabling players from the start, both say “being part of the Brigands has reignited our passion for the game”.
David Marsh has been with the Reading RFC Rhinos since 2008, refereeing with Berkshire Referee Society for 11 years and has taken charge of over 100 games, including county and National League games. He is also an accredited Match Developer, the Society Training Officer and a Senior Developer for the RFU running coaching courses.
Tudor John helped from day one creating berkshirebrigands.co.uk website, marketing and social media collateral and brilliant videos.
Craig Hunter, Co-founder, helped set up the Brigands and has been delighted with the support of a wide section of the Berkshire rugby community, and the subsequent growth of the team.
County's first mixed ability festival
Having attended and thoroughly enjoyed playing at the Bath Rugby Foundation festival in June 2021, everyone involved with the team is delighted that with the support of many volunteers and companies, the Brigands are hosting Berkshire’s first mixed ability rugby festival on 9th April 2022 at Windsor RFC, with Windsor Castle as a backdrop.
They have 12 teams joining them from as far as Bath, Worcester and Yeovil and the tournament will be a mix of contact and tag rugby for men and women aged 17+.
“Everyone at the club has been delighted by the success of our mixed ability rugby team,” said Reading RFC chairman Stuart Spindler. “Reading RFC has a long record of progressive approaches to rugby and this development is just the latest step.
“The energy and commitment shown by Duncan, the Stonehouse family, the other players and all the coaches and supporters is fantastic. I'm sure that the Brigands will go from strength to strength.”
