Mixed ability rugby and social inclusion: a case study from Ecuador

This study explores how participation in a mixed ability rugby club in Ecuador is experienced in relation to social inclusion, relational support, personal development, and well-being among athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, coaches, and family members.

A qualitative case study design was employed. Fifteen participants were purposely selected from the Yaguares Mixed Ability rugby club, including athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, coaches, and family members. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups and analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach supported by ATLAS.ti software following an inductive-deductive coding process. Investigator triangulation and external auditing were used to strengthen analytical rigor.

Participants described the club as an inclusive environment characterized by shared participation, equal treatment, belonging, and supportive relationships. The findings highlighted the importance of emotional accompaniment, collective care, and relational support among athletes, coaches, and families. Participation in the club was also associated with perceived improvements in autonomy, communication, confidence, emotional well-being, and broader opportunities for social participation and personal growth. The club environment was consistently experienced as a meaningful community space that challenged exclusionary experiences commonly encountered outside the sport context.

The findings suggest that mixed ability rugby may function as a relational and developmental environment that fosters inclusion, participation, support, and personal growth through shared interaction and collective experiences. This Latin American case contributes to the limited evidence on inclusive sport in underrepresented contexts and highlights the potential of community-based Mixed Ability initiatives to promote meaningful opportunities for participation and relational belonging.