KatieFest programmeFinal - Flipbook - Page 4
25 APRIL 2026
KatieFest - where next?
The event is at the heart of a growing
movement to provide sports
opportunities for people with special
educational needs and disabilities
Over 300 players and their families, coaches,
and friends will take part in the third annual
KatieFest at Wallingford RFC. It is part of a
growing movement to provide sporting
opportunities for people with special needs
whose chances to play sport have been
overlooked, neglected, or ignored.
ÒAny club who wants to has a
SEND team. Any player who
wants to join a SEND team
has one to go to. SEND rugby
is no longer Ôother', itÕs just
another team at your club.
Everyone can play at a
ÔKatieFest of their ownÓ
Five years ago there was just one SEND rugby
team in Oxfordshire, Witney Wolves; now there
are five: at Witney, Wallingford, Gosford All
Blacks, Banbury, and Chinnor RFCs. We are all
different clubs but weÕre all part of the
Oxfordshire Wolf Pack which also includes our
county team the Oxfordshire Wolves. Today
weÕre joined by teams from all over the south and
west of the country as well as our great friends,
Mirano Dragons from Italy. KatieFest is now
international!
Oxfordshire is fortunate to have five SEND
teams, but the need for SEND sport is the same
wherever you live. Our vision is that any club
who wants to has a SEND team. Any player who
wants to join a SEND team has one to go to.
SEND rugby shouldnÕt be Ôout of the ordinary', it
should be just another team at your club.
That vision means that one day, wherever you
are in the country, you can play at a ÔKatieFestÕ of
your own.
WHY IS IT CALLED KATIEFEST?
KatieFest is named after Katie Peel, a Wallingford Wolves player
who died of Sudden Unexplained Death from Epilepsy (SUDEP)
in February 2024. Katie was a founder member of Wallingford
Wolves and the inspiration for the team itself. When Darren
initiated the Oxfordshire SEND Rugby Festival a few months
after KateÕs death he decided to name it in her honour.
https://sudep.org/
