Ormandy were proud to sponsor Francesco Pitngaro, who played in the Mari vs Chivasso, Mixed Ability Rugby Match at the end of last year. Established in 2021, The MARI's were created to bring Players and Coaches together from around the world to play exhibition matches and be part of History.

Mixed Ability stemmed from the lack of opportunity for disabled people to take part in mainstream community sport, as equal members, without being separated or classified differently. It includes people facing a range of barriers to participation, including physical and learning disabilities, mental and physical health conditions, age-related impairments, low confidence, or other personal circumstances alongside people that don’t experience any of these barriers.

It follows the same rules of mainstream sports without adaptations or different regulations, with only minor adjustments to consider individual participants’ needs, and recognising the right of everyone to participate in community sport, as equal members, where the focus is shifted away from performance and elite competition to community enjoyment and sport for wellbeing.

Francesco and his team the Mari’s won their game with a score of 33 - 15 against their opponents.

Well done to all the players who took part in this inspirational event, of which we were honoured to play a part in its sponsorship.