Welcome to the MRP Junior division

The MRP Junior division has been specifically developed to move girls, boys and young adults between 7 and 13 years with learning and perceptual disabilities off the sideline and into the main game of rugby and of life.

Each MRP Player is individually-matched one-on-one with a teenage PlayerMentor for support, guidance and friendship on the rugby field and beyond. This matching happens with the support of an Allied Health professional. 

The aim of the MRP is to encourage girls, boys and young adults with learning and perceptual disabilities and their families to become involved in the local rugby community. The MRP creates a place where these young people and their families feel safe, are understood, can experience success and belong into the long-term. 

GingerCloud Pillars

Key Dates

2020 Season dates are yet to be confirmed - however, the upcoming season will likely compromise of a 4 week preseason prior to the Easter holidays and then a 9 week season starting the first week of QLD school Term 2.

Any interested participants will be able to submit Expressions of Interest forms from the 6th of January 2020.

For information about training and games, please visit your Club page.

General Information

All MRP Players will be required to wear their Club uniform. This will be dependent on the Club’s requirements.

All MRP Players and PlayerMentors will have access to all club facilities at their respective Club for training and match days (unless indicated otherwise on their calendar). 

How is the MRP Junior division modified for girls, boys and young adults with learning and perceptual disabilities?

Within the MRP Junior division, there are specific structural and coaching modifications based on the varying needs of girls, boys and young adults with learning and perceptual disabilities both on and off the field.

Learning and Perceptual Modifications

The MRP Junior division has been developed taking into account the following specific areas.

The MRP Players’:

• 5 senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell

• Attention

• Communication

• Social skills

• Proprioceptive and Vestibular development

Each MRP Team is supported by a Team Manager, Team Coach, Assistant Coach and on-field PlayerMentors. 

The MRP team trains and plays prior to the start of other divisions to reduce sensory impacts.

Coaching Support

Team Coach

The Team Coaches are carefully selected to ensure the quality of the MRP is maintained and our MRP Players experience success both on and off the field.

Our Team Coaches are trained specifically around the modifications of the game and the needs of the MRP Players to ensure they are coached in alignment with their abilities.

Team Coaches also act as the game referee to ensure the needs of the MRP Players are attended to throughout games.

PlayerMentors

PlayerMentors within the MRP Junior division are teenagers between 13 – 17 years brimming with passion and integrity. The role of PlayerMentors is to provide on-field support while modeling the targeted rugby skill set. This role is fundamental to ensure MRP Players learn rugby skills in a fun and supportive environment.

All PlayerMentors are required to participate in the GingerCloud Leadership Program where they are trained and educated about leadership and disability, particularly highlighting what is awesome about their MRP Players. The GingerCloud Leadership Program supports the PlayerMentors to grow to become a generation of young people for whom disability is normalised.

MRP Ambassadors

The MRP Ambassadors are former Australian Wallaby Captains Nathan Sharpe, Tim Horan AM, Stephen Moore, and current Western Force Player Andrew Ready. 

The MRP Ambassadors deliver the GingerCloud Leadership Program to offer valuable leadership experience and knowledge with PlayerMentors. They also raise awareness of the program within the rugby community and beyond.  

For more information about the MRP, please visit http://mymrp.org or contact [email protected].

Please follow us on Facebook via Modified Rugby Program (MRP), Instagram at @modifiedrugbyprogram, LinkedIn or Twitter via @my_mrp.