A RUGBY class set up by a Worcester Warriors full-back to encourage children with diabetes to play sport is going from strength-to-strength.

Chris Pennell, who is a type 1 diabetic, set up the rugby academy last November, with a view to tackling stereotypes around diabetes in sport and giving children with diabetes the chance to meet each other.

He said: “It has been really enjoyable. It’s a lot of fun.

“If I can pass on anything it is that you shouldn’t let diabetes hold you back. I’ve never let it hold me back and these kids are the same.

“I found out I was diabetic when I was a lot older so these kids are going through some of the tougher parts at a much younger age.”

The class, which was piloted last November, now runs weekly with a regular group of 15 children turning up to take part.

“There’s a bit of an age range, some of the kids are five or six and some are much older. So we mix it up a bit, we might split the groups and then play a bit of tag rugby at the end,” added Mr Pennell.

“Some of them have got great attributes and can really play.

“Saying that, it’s not just about how many tries you score or how many tackles you make, it’s about enjoying yourself.

“What I think is the best thing to see is that some of the older kids encourage the younger ones and always include them in everything. They really help them.

“I’ve got younger kids myself and it is nice to know that this kind of thing would be available to them if they did have diabetes.

“It gives the kids a chance to just forget about the diabetes for an hour.

“If you can be any kind of positive influence then that will be fantastic. The kids are all so positive.

“I don’t think diabetes is going to stop any of them.”

Rose Collins, whose four-year-old son Samuel has diabetes, thought the rugby academy was a great idea and appreciated that the players were also looking out for the children’s health.

She said: “It’s really great. I like that that they stop half way through so everybody can have their checks, I think that is really important.

“It’s nice that his sisters get to join in too.”