Today, on International Day of People with Disability, Rugby Australia celebrates inclusion and belonging in sport by announcing it will assume leadership of the globally recognised Modified Rugby Program (MRP) from GingerCloud Foundation from July 2026, to support the inclusion of more young people with learning and perceptual disabilities within rugby.
Since launching in 2014, the MRP has created opportunities for neurodiverse young people and people with intellectual disability across Queensland and the ACT to experience the fun, connection and teamwork of rugby in a safe, modified format.
Rugby Australia will now carry that vision forward, embedding the MRP within its national community rugby pathway to ensure the game is accessible for all.
"The MRP was designed to get girls and boys with learning and perceptual disabilities off the sidelines and into the game," GingerCloud Chair Megan Elliott said.
"With the passion, commitment and support of everyone in the MRP community, we have been able to do this across Brisbane, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast and the ACT.
"However, it is time to take it further afield, and we can't think of anyone else better to take the reins than Rugby Australia.
"Rugby Australia has been our cheer squad from the beginning and we are confident that with their reach and commitment, the MRP community can expand past the current territories, ensuring that more girls and boys are able to get off the sidelines and into the game."
Over the past decade, GingerCloud has built an incredible legacy of inclusion within rugby, delivering MRP programs in partnership with local clubs.
"We're excited to continue the important work GingerCloud has established," Rugby Australia Head of Inclusion Melissa Gmeiner said.
"This transition reflects our ongoing commitment to enabling equal and fair opportunities for everyone in the community to be involved and respected in rugby."
RA and GingerCloud are working closely together to ensure a smooth transition through 2025 and 2026, maintaining program quality, club support and participant experience.
Programs will continue to be delivered in 2026, with opportunities to expand into new regions from 2027 as part of Rugby Australia's Inclusion Strategy.
The transition represents an important milestone in the organisation's broader commitment to inclusion and community engagement.
