The trip marks another remarkable milestone for a team that has become a very special part of the Old Wesley community and a powerful example of what inclusion in rugby can really mean.

To mark the occasion, Old Wesley President Wayne Sheridan, hosted a lunch ahead of the team’s departure, with the support of the Old Wesley RFC Business Network.

For Hilary, the occasion was another reminder of just how much the support of the club means.

“We are very lucky indeed to be part of such an inclusive and dynamic club. Thank you to President Wayne Sheridan, who arranged a lovely lunch to send us on our way to Japan next week and show his and his wife Helen’s support, as well as the whole club.

“We are incredibly lucky and thankful for the Old Wesley RFC Business Network and proud to be wearing your colours!”

The trip to Japan follows the recent BBC feature on the All Ireland Visually Impaired Rugby Team, which highlighted the personal stories behind the players and the impact that being part of the team has had on their lives. Based at Old Wesley RFC in Donnybrook and supported by the IRFU and Vision Sports Ireland, the team brings together visually impaired players from across Ireland. In its feature, the BBC told the stories of players including team captain Sean McDowell, Hilary Devlin and Sara McFadden, exploring themes of confidence, friendship, resilience and belonging.

For Hilary in particular, the journey has been extraordinary. As highlighted in the BBC coverage, she grew up believing that sport was not something for her. Today, she is preparing to travel to Japan as part of an Irish rugby team.

That transformation gets to the heart of why inclusive rugby matters.

At Old Wesley, we have always believed that rugby should create opportunities for people to participate, connect and belong. The Visually Impaired Rugby Team has brought those values to life in a very tangible way. Players, coaches, volunteers, families, supporters and partner organisations have created a community that reaches well beyond the rugby pitch. And now that community is heading onto the international stage.

For everyone associated with Old Wesley, there is enormous pride in seeing Hilary and her teammates travelling to Japan and representing Irish visually impaired rugby.

The send-off also demonstrated the role that the wider Old Wesley community can play in supporting inclusive rugby. The Old Wesley RFC Business Network brings together people and businesses connected with the club, but occasions like this demonstrate that its value is about more than business. It is another way in which the wider Wesley community can get behind the people, teams and initiatives that make the club what it is. Old Wesley is an inclusive and dynamic club. Those are values worth celebrating.

Good Luck in Japan. From everyone at Old Wesley RFC, we wish Sean, Hilary, Sara and the entire All Ireland Visually Impaired Rugby Team a safe journey and a fantastic experience in Japan. Whatever happens on the pitch, what this group has already achieved is something of which everyone associated with Old Wesley can be enormously proud.