A CITY firm has stepped in to help with a sports club’s plans to compete at an international tournament in Spain.

Flooring business Headlam/MCD, based in Worcester’s Great Western Business Park, will be a major shirt sponsor for Worcester Rugby Club’s mixed ability men’s and women’s teams on their trip.

The city players have been selected for the fourth International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament (IMART) in Pamplona in northern Spain for next June.

Jon Cavill, trade counter manager for MCD Flooring, said: “We at Headlam/MCD Worcester are very proud in supporting the WRFC mixed ability teams as they offer an opportunity to people of different abilities to really get involved in something they enjoy and get out travelling and believing in a sport that encourages hard work and fun for everyone involved.

“We collectively chose to support the teams as one of our colleagues has a high-functioning autistic child and they understand what this opportunity means to so many people by offering them a sport to focus their drive and ability on.

“As a local Worcester business we are very happy that the people involved in representing the local area are getting the opportunity and we are positive they will excel in the World Cup. Best wishes to the team and coaches!”

Taking place over one week from June 21 until 28, the city club will visit IMART for the second time with the men having previously been part of the 2022 tournament.

The teams need to raise around £50,000 to take 70 players and support staff to Spain.

Sponsorship opportunities are available on playing and travel kit.

People can get more information by emailing Tom at comms@wrfc.info Mixed ability rugby is for players of all abilities and disabilities.

It involves a handful of tweaks to the rules such as uncontested scrums and limited contact dependant on ability.

The Worcester team has players with learning difficulties, anxiety, dyslexia and dyspraxia, acute fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, personality disorders, ADHD and more.

Its mixed ability programme began in 2016 and has brought in more than 150 new players to the club with some going on to represent Worcester at higher senior levels.

At IMART 2022 Worcester men finished a creditable sixth to be the highest-ranked side from England.

As a result the players returned home and launched the women’s team.

Players aged 16 and over of all abilities and special educational needs are welcomed on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm until 7pm.

For more details, visit worcesterrfc.rfu.club/teams.