BEGINNINGS
Founded in August 2021, Plymouth Dolphins RFC is the Ocean City’s first Inclusive Rugby team. Being inclusive means that our players come from a wide range of backgrounds.
The club has created a safe, supportive, exciting, and enjoyable space that brings players together to share in the joy of the world’s best team sport; rugby!
Plymouth Dolphins are proud to welcome anyone regardless of their experience, ability, age, ethnicity, religion, sexuality or gender identity.
Many of our players have felt alienated from sport from a young age, so being part of the club is not just about the on-field action but an opportunity to belong; for us, rugby is so much more than what happens on the pitch.
AFFILIATIONS
We became affiliated with Devon RFU in February 2022 and became a registered member of the IGR (International Gay Rugby) for the 2022-2023 season.
The IGR is a network of LGBTQIA+ inclusive rugby teams across the world, who hold tournaments (The Bingham Cup and Union Cup) bi-annually.
We currently play local clubs and other IGR clubs throughout the UK. In May 2024, we very proudly competed in the league final Bingham Cup in Italy with other IGR teams from around the world.
Next, we will be competing in the Union Cup in Oslo in May and June, 2025.
FUTURE
For the upcoming 2024\25 season, we are building the capacity for more players to benefit from “The Pod” experience:
fielding a first and development team
including women in our training
supporting local female rugby clubs
establishing an inclusive touch team.