Sun 14 Dec 2014 | 09:48
Match winning try scored by boy with Down Syndrome goes viral

22
Comments

Last week we shared this heartwarming story on our social media pages, only to then be blown away by the incredible response from the rugby loving public. The story has since gone viral, so today we're archiving it here for those of you who missed it.

The story was captured by a teacher at Ysgol Brynhyfred secondary school in North Wales.

It features a match winning try against Ysgol Y Berwyn, but what isn't clear at first is that fact that the boy who scored it, Ethan Morris, has Down Syndrome.

Scott Pollington Woods, manager of the Down Syndrome Association's DS Active programme, told ITV that he has never seen anything like it.

"It's fantastic to see players from both teams not only including him but allowing him to shine. People with Down's Syndrome, as a result of the condition, often find it difficult to participate in mainstream and even PAN disability sports," he said.

The story goes that players on both teams spoke to their teachers before the match in the hope of giving Ethan an opportunity to play the game he's always wanted to play. Kudos to them.

The support and love shown for this wonderful achievement exemplifies the values of rugby. If you'd like to have an emotional read through the reaction, including comments from his mother and others, you can do so on our Facebook page here.

22 Comments

  • drg
    1:03 PM 18/12/2014

    ....I'll take the bait..

    Regardless of political/ethical etc viewpoints, I believe his comment was made with positive feelings. i.e. look what this young lad achieved...

    ...so your reply is; I believe, void...

  • lastdog
    7:39 AM 18/12/2014

    Da iawn Ethan. Brilliant :-)))

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    3:24 PM 17/12/2014

    If only your parents had followed that same advice

  • alasdairduncan3
    10:42 AM 17/12/2014

    Who are you talking to?

  • alasdairduncan3
    10:41 AM 17/12/2014

    Why the sad music? The kid is enjoying himself.

  • drg
    9:56 AM 17/12/2014

    No, don't worry, you're right, I mean watching rugby is a source of entertainment, so therefore watching a mid game rugby game is another source of entertainment.

    I meant 'peculiar' as opposed to 'funny'..

    Perhaps this is the political correctness sort of thing going on where everyone is terrified of saying the wrong thing. (even though I'm aware I brought this up)...

    To be honest, I think it's the enjoyment of seeing anyone get a chance to do a sport they want to do. Agree with you, why not have something like that in the Olympics, definitely a goal to aim for!

  • besthookerintown
    8:11 PM 15/12/2014

    I suppose you're right mate, but 'mid game, game' nearly has me confused. Maybe 'entertainment' wasn't the correct word, but it's shorter than 'half-time, mid-game, cross-pitch, 10 a side game' :L

  • 8:09 PM 15/12/2014

    Doesn't read funny to me Dr G

  • drg
    5:50 PM 15/12/2014

    Of course, I'd imagine it's all done in very good taste, and I'm sure your comment was written with great respect, but there is something not quite right about a sentence revolving around down syndrome players and the words 'half time entertainment'... There is indeed not an awful lot else one can call it, I suppose 'half time game' or 'mid game game', but yeh... just reads funny that's all :)

    Agree with your comments though, it's great what people can and will do in order to give people a chance, and it's nice to see that 'Rugby' is doing it :D

  • drg
    5:46 PM 15/12/2014

    Sorry mate, I was half asleep, (not a great excuse when it's the middle of the day). I read that as something like 'to quote george best' or something like that....

    ...anyway, moving along...

  • besthookerintown
    3:57 PM 15/12/2014

    Was at the Leinster .Vs. Harlequins match at the weekend in the Aviva and the half time entertainment was 4 teams made up of people with Down Syndrome playing tag rugby. Was brilliant to see, the crowd got behind them and they certainly loved every second they were on the pitch.

    Is lovely to see and brilliant that the rugby community gets behind people to help, no matter what the cause.

    Brilliant stuff here, hope we can see more of this in the future. Tag rugby for Special Olympics 2019?

  • eddie-g
    3:56 PM 15/12/2014

    Completely awesome video. As I tell everyone, rugby is THE game for all shapes and sizes; you just need a big heart. No bigger heart than Ethan's.

  • canuckrugger39
    2:57 PM 15/12/2014

    Hey can we keep the politics off of RD? I always find the comment sections here to be somewhat thoughtful and civilized and the I'd hate to see it turn into the troll/argument fest that are most comment sections on youtube and other similar sites.

    On a different note what an inspirational story this is. The way the two teams rallied together to give this young man an opportunity like that is awesome, and he definitely took full advantage of it :)

  • guy
    2:57 PM 15/12/2014

    You make it sound harsh but I do agree with you.

  • stripe
    2:01 PM 15/12/2014

    See what happens when you let your kids live instead of aborting them?

  • stripe
    2:00 PM 15/12/2014

    Thanks, guy. I almost had a conniption when I saw that. :)

  • 10stonenumber10
    1:17 PM 15/12/2014

    hence the paraphrasing...

    His was scoring a goal at wembley and "miss world", mine was touch rugby at twickenham and a "miss home counties"!!

  • drg
    1:14 PM 15/12/2014

    wasn't george best a footballer?

  • 10stonenumber10
    12:38 PM 15/12/2014

    Ysgol Brynhyfred... Dude, where's my vowels?

    A brilliant moment in rugby, quite touching that it came from two youth teams deciding rather than the coaches.

    To paraphrase George Best... I was asked would I rather score a try at Twickenham, or sh*g a "Miss somewhere" model... luckily i've done both. I don't remember her name, but I remember exactly who passed the ball to me and where!

    Everybody should get the chance to do what they love. That is what life is about.

  • jimmy23
    11:40 AM 15/12/2014

    It could be considered a cliched saying by this point but... this is why I love rugby. Maximum kudos points to you and all involved Huw.

  • stroudos
    8:42 AM 15/12/2014

    Ha! I beg your pardon then.

    To be honest I'm more impressed that RD can spell Ysgol Brynhyfred...

    Well done and good luck to you all!

  • stroudos
    8:07 PM 14/12/2014

    OK, I'm going to be "that guy" - disappointing that a teacher doesn't know the difference between your and you're...

    Lovely story and a nice try though.