The Italian Rugby League Federation has held an Inclusive Open Day at its headquarters in Cinisello Balsamo in Milan province. 

FIRL president Orazio D'Arro said: “Rugby League is an inclusive sport and this was a fundamental opportunity for us - it will be the beginning of dedicated work that the Federation wants to continue and aims to make it an increasingly central part of our overall programme. The open day was a great opportunity to show what we can offer.”

The Inclusive Rugby League Project was developed through a partnership between the Italian Rugby League Federation and the Auser Polaris APS Association of Silea. The Association is committed to ‘the realization and enhancement of opportunities for encounters and socialization between people with and without frailty,’ not least via participation in formally organized sport.

The Flying Elephants Rugby League Inclusive project was set up in March 2021 by Marco Cavallin to enable safe support and friendship to be offered, and enable growing self-esteem for those involved, specifically coming out of Covid-19 restrictions where many had been isolated and their mental health further affected.

Currently, the project has 20 people attending with objectives including, formation of a team identity, playing active sport, joint training with other such inclusive teams, and the enhancement of motor skills.