Participation For The Win!

Owen Finds His Place with the U15s at Iford Lane

Fourteen-year-old Owen has been part of East Dorset Dockers RFC since he was a young boy. This season, he’s found a new home with the club’s U15s team, who have welcomed him with open arms. For Owen, who lives with autism, epilepsy, and related learning difficulties, the rugby club has become a place where he can belong, grow, and be part of something special.

When Owen was six months old, he began having seizures. The episodes caused scarring to his brain, which affected his development and slowed his progress through early childhood. Aged one, he was diagnosed with epilepsy and later, after assessment by ID CAMHS, with autism and related learning difficulties.

Owen’s autism affects his social and emotional skills, meaning he finds it difficult to form relationships and friendships. In Year 5, aged nine, he moved from mainstream education to a specialist school, where he continues to study in Year 10. Despite these challenges, Owen has always loved rugby.

He started playing touch rugby at East Dorset Dockers and joined the U10s when youth rugby began at Iford Lane in 2021. As he grew older and stronger, it became important for him to play alongside boys his own age.

This summer, EDD RFC introduced an U15s age group, bringing together a new set of players, some new to the game and others from local clubs, including local friends at Bournemouth RFC.  Led by coaches Garry Francis, John Willoughby, and Kevin Jarvis, each with a son in the squad, the team immediately welcomed Owen as one of their own.

Since then, he has trained twice a week and taken a full part in every session. He’s supported with one-to-one supervision when needed but encouraged to join in as much as possible. The boys have shown genuine care and maturity.  They include him in everything, never leave him behind, and have created a strong team culture of looking out for one another. The next step for Owen is to earn some game time. Coach John Willoughby has already seen big progress in his confidence and ability.

“Owen’s skills have come on massively,” says John. “His positioning during training games and in certain phases of play, like the breakdown, rucks, and support running, is improving all the time. Above all, his confidence has really grown.”

That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of laughter along the way. Owen has a few random tics and phrases that appear at unexpected times and often make everyone laugh. The boys and coaches take it all in stride and wouldn’t have it any other way. Teammate Max “Jarvo” Jarvis said:

“It’s nice to see all the boys help to include Owen in our training. Fingers crossed he gets some game time this season, he deserves it!”

That sentiment runs throughout the team, with Zac (prop) adding:

“It’s great having Owen on the team. We’ve got to know him and like helping him grow his game, plus he makes us laugh! He doesn’t mind when we help him during drills or explain what the coaches want us to do.”

Rugby runs in the family too. Owen’s mum, Carla, has been part of the Dockers Women’s team since 2019. She also coaches the Diddy Dockers, the thriving under-fives group that forms the start of the club’s youth pathway. Her commitment to the club and passion for the sport have helped make the Dockers a true family for both her and Owen.

Carla has noticed huge changes off the field as well.

“His mood has lifted so much,” she says. “His social skills have improved; he’s talking more, listening more, and making eye contact. He’s just happier when he  around the his rugby club and teammates”

For now, Owen is thrilled to be part of the matchday squad. He proudly wears the kit, helps as water boy, and trains hard each week as he works toward his first minutes on the pitch.

Owen’s journey reflects everything that grassroots rugby stands for; inclusion, teamwork, and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of something bigger than yourself.

Our thanks to the Bournemouth Echo for publishing the story - https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/25646211.east-dorset-dockers-rfc-rugby-team-helps-boy-autism/