Rugby
Vision Impaired (VI) Rugby was established in Ireland in September 2021 by the IRFU and Vision Sports Ireland. The team plays as part of Old Wesley RFC. VI Rugby is based on the Rugby 7s touch format, which allows the game to be safe and accessible for players with vision impairments.
Open to both males and females, the gameplay takes into consideration a wide range of sight conditions while maintaining the fundamental codes, laws, and spectacle of rugby for both the players and spectators. Filled with bells, the ball generates noise to help the players hear it when it is moving.
in 2024 Old Wesley RFC successfully made history as the first VI Rugby team to field two squads in an international competition and continued their run of being the only mixed gender team in the competition.
The team is backed by KOSI Corporation as main sponsor. Cahal Crilly, KOSI Corporation CFO, added: “KOSI is delighted to partner with Vision Sports Ireland to support the Old Wesley VI Rugby squad. It is incredibly exciting to be involved with a group of athletes and role models who have transformed what is possible to achieve through sport.”
Adult Training Dates 2026
- 28th February – Belfast
- 28th March – 12 noon, Old Wesley RFC
- 25th April – 12 noon, Old Wesley RFC
- 16th May – MayFest, UCD
- 20th June – 12 noon, Old Wesley RFC
- 18th July – 12 noon, Old Wesley RFC
- 16th August – 11am, Laoise Inclusion Games, Portlaoise RFC
New players and volunteers are welcome, email sara@visionsports.ie to register your interest. No previous experience necessary.
History
VI Rugby was established by The Change Foundation in the UK in 2016, with teams already in New Zealand and Japan the aim is to now grow the game across the world. The gameplay takes into consideration a wide range of sight conditions whilst maintaining the fundamental codes, laws and spectacle of rugby to both the players and spectators.
Contact
Vision Sports Ireland, Vision Ireland, Whitworth Road, Dublin 9.
Phone:
01 4056030
Email:
info@visionsports.ie
