As part of Black History Month this year we will be hosting The Old Downbadians (ODB), a
rugby 10s team who were formed of black male rugby players seeking a “safe place” to play
rugby.

The intention is to give them a platform to share their experiences as individual rugby
players, and the way in which their stories come together to result in the formation of their
team. We hope to ask them questions about this element of their journey, and also where
they see themselves going from here to grow their group, since they have already been
taking steps to push out their own brand through their own line of merch and social media
efforts.

We hope that this event will shine some light on the experience of black men in UK
rugby, but also serve as a point of inspiration for those with both entrepreneurial ambition,
and those looking to contribute to and effect positive change in the lives of minority groups -
especially in the area of sports in the UK.