Cardiff Blues welcomed participants of their Visually Impaired Rugby Sessions to experience the Cardiff Arms Park on a Guinness PRO14 matchday as Wales' Capital Region hosted Benetton Rugby on Sunday.
Earlier this season, the region became the first team in Wales to launch Visually Impaired (VI) Rugby thanks to a partnership between the Cardiff Blues Community Foundation, Change Foundation, RNIB Cymru and the UNA Exchange.
The Community Foundation have continued to host weekly VI sessions, while plans are in place to launch an official Cardiff Blues team in the summer.
Those that take part in the Tuesday night VI sessions were at the Arms Park to experience the action as a strong second half showing from John Mulvihill's side secured a bonus point win over the Italian outfit.
Kelsey Jones, Cardiff Blues Community Foundation’s Disability and Inclusion Officer said: “It was great to have the guys from our VI Rugby sessions with us to enjoy a matchday at Cardiff Arms Park. They've been attending the sessions on Tuesday nights on the pitch, so to experience the stadium in full flow was brilliant.
“We believe there is a jersey for all and that people of all backgrounds and abilities have the opportunity to take part in the sport we all love.
“The weekly VI sessions have become a great success and we are looking forward to launching a VI team in the not to distant future.;
They also had the opportunity to meet Benetton and Italy fly-half Ian McKinley, who is an ambassador for Change Foundation.
McKinley was forced to retire in 2011, when a stray boot left him blind in one eye while representing Leinster. However, while living in Italy, he made a return to amteur rugby wearing specially manufactured goggles.
Such was the success of McKinley’s comeback in 2014, that he was signed by Viadana and was then picked up Zebre and the Italian national side.
The outside half joined the group after the match, and he also donated a signed pair of his goggles.
Jones added: "We really appreciate Ian McKinley taking his time after the match to come and meet the guys. He was extremely enthusiastic to talk to the guys, learn about what we do here with our sessions and was more than happy to answer the questions from our VI participants.
"He's someone they can really admire, and we're looking forward to moving forward as a group to form the VI team later this year."
To find out more about VI Rugby please email [email protected]