Bath Rugby star Will Muir helped to make dreams come true for a remarkable mixed-ability rugby player when he paid a surprise visit.
Bath Rugby’s Will Muir with Morgan Lidster | Photo © Bath Rugby
It’s not every day you meet your heroes, but for Morgan Lidster and his Walcot Warriors teammates, their weekly training session was turned on its head when the England international swapped The Rec to join drills with a difference at the South West’s first mixed ability rugby club.
The winger turned out to celebrate the achievements of Morgan, 21, who last season was crowned Premiership Rugby’s Ambassador of the Year.
Morgan has Down’s Syndrome and has been inspiring others to give rugby a try after joining Walcot Warriors and discovering a new-found confidence in his social and physical abilities.
Morgan’s self-esteem has come a long way and along with his teammates, he is proud to showcase the accessibility and equal opportunities for everyone in the sport.
Speaking after meeting his Bath Rugby hero, Morgan said: “That was the best rugby training session ever. I was happy and excited at the same time.
“Will is a great guy and one of my favourite players. He showed me how to score a try just like him.
“Mixed ability rugby is for people with different needs which is why I joined Walcot Warriors and now I can play touch and contact.”
Mixed-ability rugby has seen huge participation increases in the South West region over the last few years, thanks to the work of Bath Rugby Foundation.
Its work as the charitable arm of Bath Rugby to empower vulnerable children and young people has seen it help to support five mixed-ability clubs and 239 young people in the region, as well as helping 65 new players to start playing mixed-ability rugby last season.
Jack Hill, inclusion officer at Bath Rugby Foundation, said: “Mixed ability rugby creates inclusive, safe spaces where everyone can access and play the sport.
“We were thrilled to see the excitement of Morgan and the other Walcot Warriors players when Will Muir made a surprise appearance at training.
“The work that Walcot Warriors and other mixed-ability clubs are doing to provide opportunities to players like Morgan is amazing and I’m immensely proud of what Morgan has achieved this year.
“He has a new-found confidence in his social and physical abilities and has said on countless times that if it wasn’t for mixed-ability rugby, he wouldn’t be able to access the sport he loves.”
Walcot Warriors in Bath launched in 2017. The team now has more than 45 players and provides a competitive and supportive rugby environment where new, returning, underrepresented, and experienced players hold equal value.
You can watch the video of Will meeting Morgan here.
