Southern Lions Rugby Club President Ronan O’Shea said this grant is greatly appreciated and it will allow them to purchase training equipment for their all abilities players.

“Southern Lions is the very first Rugby Union Club in WA to have all abilities players, which we started in 2017 with senior players only, but in 2019 were very excited to begin our junior program and we now have 30 all abilities players playing the sport that we all love,” Mr O’Shea said.

“The new program needs lots of support to feed its growth over the coming years and the grant will make the hard work of the program organiser, Mike Penhaligon, a bit easier. The program provides a sporting avenue for the all abilities players to be active and have fun while seeing their confidence grow to the extent that they are becoming active members of the club.”

“People with disabilities are one of the most marginalised groups within our society and because of their disability, a lot of the time they cannot access ‘mainstream’ sport – that is where our program gives them the chance to play rugby and participate both socially and physically at a premiership rugby club.”

Mr O’Shea added that the Club is very proud of their Southern Lions All Abilities program and hope that other rugby clubs in WA will also implement the addition to their clubs.

RWWA CEO Richard Burt said the organisation recognises the importance of grass roots sports throughout WA.

“We understand that it takes time and resources to keep a club running within the community, so we are pleased to be giving the opportunity to help relieve this burden on clubs,” said Mr Burt.

This September Community TAB will provide $20,000 of grants during the final week of the sports grants program. To celebrate the success of the two-year program, from 23 to 29 September Community TAB will provide a grant of up to $4,000 to a club each day.