About us
Sense Rugby is a Occupational Therapy led rugby program designed to help tamariki and rangatahi who usually find it difficult to be part of a sports team.
Our Story
Sense Rugby NZ was established in July 2020 as a charitable trust after recognising that tamariki and rangatahi who live everyday life with disabilities and often “invisible” differences in their social, motor, learning, emotional regulation and communication skills have limited access to high quality and consistent active recreation and sport opportunities.
Inclusive Rugby
Sense Rugby was originally designed with our neurodiverse community in mind, however due to our OT’s having a great understanding of how to support many young people with diverse needs, we aim to make our programme as accessible as we can.
Who we support
Our young people who engage in Sense Rugby may be:
Autistic
Dyspraxic
ADHDer
Living with Global Developmental Delay
Sensory Processing Disorder
Down Syndrome or Intellectual Disability
Cerebral Palsy
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Pathological Demand Avoidance
Anxiety
Vision & Hearing Loss
Genetic Condition, or a Trauma background
This list is not exhaustive, as we welcome all young people who may benefit from our programme.
Cost and Accessibility
Sense Rugby is committed to removing barriers to participation, ensuring tamariki and rangatahi have access to inclusive sporting opportunities. Our programmes are free, with an optional koha/donation for those who wish to contribute via our website.
Strengths and Motivations
We harness each child's strengths and motivations to encourage participation.
Sense Rugby Values and Principals
Positive Social Experience
Creating a fun, inclusive environment where success is measured beyond performance.
Expert Led Sessions
An experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist supports every session with both clinical knowledge and hands-on experience.
Tailored Support
The use of visuals, language adaptations, sensory and environment support, and social emotional coaching, to ensure we meet the varied needs of participants to engage successfully.
Goals
Some of the goals Sense Rugby supports tamariki, rangatahi and whānau to achieve include:
To have fun!
To develop their confidence and self-esteem
To find a regular activity that can be their own
To learn a new skill that gives them a new sports based community to belong to for life
To find a way to get the movement they seek in a fun and sports based way
To make some new friends and connect with their peers
To enhance their motor skills and build on their endurance
To learn how to follow instructions, wait their turn and be part of a group
To learn how to manage their emotions and improve their ability to self-regulate
…and many more!