Team colostomy UK and the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) are delighted to announce that they will be facing each other in a charity Rugby League game on Sunday, 22 May.
The game will take place at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, home of the Batley Bulldogs, and will be a curtain-raiser to the Bulldogs BetFred Championship clash with the London Broncos.
It will be played under modified masters rugby league rules to enable players of all ages and abilities to take part.
The British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) was formed by Dr Ikram Butt, the first British Asian to play Rugby of either code for England. It is a dual code, inclusive, UK not-for-profit NGO of 18 years standing.
BARA has a history of campaigning for equality and inclusion for Asian communities (not exclusively) in rugby and has delivered tangible projects which break down cultural and religious barriers and provide sporting benefits to a much under-represented minority ethnic community.
BARA founder Ikram Butt, said: “We are looking forward to getting back onto the playing field after a two-year absence due to a variety of reasons.
“There is no better way to kick off our season than by supporting an important cause and helping make a positive difference in people’s lives.
“We would like to thank Giovanni Cinque for this wonderful opportunity and our primary sponsors Regal Food PLC and La Romantica Beds for their continued support.’’
“There is no better way to kick off our season than by supporting an important cause and helping make a positive difference in people’s lives.” – Ikram Butt
Team Colostomy UK Rugby League is an initiative from the National charity Colostomy UK. It aims to challenge and change perceptions of what it means to live with a stoma, and show that having a stoma need not be a barrier to achieving anything in life, including playing the toughest of team sports.
Speaking on behalf of Team Colostomy UK Giovanni Cinque, commented: “We’re delighted to be playing such a prestigious game, and as a curtain-raiser to the Championship fixture between Batley and London.
“The conditions that can lead to stoma surgery are prevalent across all communities in the UK and we hope that our game with BARA will help increase awareness of our charity in West Yorkshire and how people can access support from us if they need it. We’re hugely grateful to Ikram and BARA for the fixture, and to everyone at Batley Bulldogs for hosting us.”
The game will be held on Sunday, 22 May at the Foxes Biscuits Stadium, Heritage Rd, Batley, West Yorkshire WF17 7NZ, kicking off at 1pm. It will be followed by Batley Bulldogs V London Broncos at 3pm.
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