A man with Down's Syndrome is "living the dream" thanks to a rugby league for people with learning disabilities.
Organised by Rugby Football League, Super League and Widnes-based charity, Community Integrated Care, the Learning Disability Rugby League "gives people who have learning disabilities and autism the chance to play a specially adapted version of rugby league", enabling more than 200 people to play for clubs they love, like St Helens RFC and Warrington Wolves.
An image of Gareth Jones, 19, celebrating a try in front of almost 4,000 people during a match between Leigh Centurions and Widnes Vikings sparked praise for the league. Ste Jones, no relation, who took the photo, tweeted: "I choke up behind camera watching the stars of the LDRL playing the Great game. It's just pure joy from start to finish."
Gareth's older brother Bob, who lives in Wavertree, is happy to see people with Down's Syndrome and other learning disabilities get an opportunity to play rugby on pitches condensed to meet players' needs, and with a non-competitive focus on developing skills rather than keeping score. The 25-year-old University of Liverpool graduate said: "He's basically living the dream any teenage lad would want. He's living his life the way he wants to and he's achieving his goals. He loves this, and I'm just the proudest brother that can be."
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Bob added: "Everybody just wants to see their family succeed and get the best out of life, and obviously there are worries with that when it comes to having family members with disabilities, because it's very easy for society to not be inclusive. With this now, this opportunity, it shows an awful lot of growth in sports and culture and society as a whole."
Gareth's "development has gone leaps and bounds" thanks to inclusive spaces like the Learning Disability Super League, and his coach Scott Burns. These new opportunities make Gareth feel valued, boost his self-esteem, help him meet new friends, and allow him to further develop skills like working in a team.
The prospect of playing for Leigh Centurions in front of such a big crowd in Widnes on Good Friday made Gareth nervous, but a video call with Bob before the match calmed him down and he ran onto the pitch with "all the worries put behind" as his confidence grew during the game.. He "loves the audience and the praise", lapping up the atmosphere by running around shaking hands after a game.
Bob wants to encourage other people with learning disabilities to get involved with sports, saying it's a "fantastic" way to meet new friends and learn new skills. He told the ECHO: "Having a disability, whether it be Down's Syndrome, autism, anything, does not mean that person cannot do the same things that anybody else can do.
"What it takes is to make these adjustments and make these changes, because there are many people out there with disabilities who can do fantastic stuff. But the means to be able to do so are not there because it is not made accessible."
John Hughes, the director of partnerships and communities at Community Integrated Care, said: "The Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League is an incredible platform for showcasing the talents of people who have learning disabilities and autism, and in tackling prejudice.
"Every person that has seen and shared Gareth's photograph will have been uplifted by his talents and passion for the sport that he loves. We'd like to congratulate Gareth on living his dreams, by scoring for the team that he loves. Special thanks go to Ste Jones, whose wonderful image will in-spire many more people to follow in Gareth's footsteps."
