Our Story
About Malone Tornadoes
From a small tag rugby club for people with learning disabilities to Ulster's first Mixed Ability Rugby team — this is our story.
2006
Newforge Taggers founded
2018
First MAR team in Ulster
18,000
Fans at Kingspan Stadium
7
Countries represented
From Newforge Taggers to Malone Tornadoes
Malone Tornadoes evolved from Newforge Taggers. The Newforge Taggers Tag Rugby Football Club was established in September 2006 for people with learning disabilities (age 6 years and over) and it was the first club of its type in Ireland.
A mixed gender club with the focus on fun and inclusion, the Taggers are the Junior section of the Police Service of Northern Ireland RFC and take the name Newforge from the home of the PSNI sport. When many of the players reached adulthood, they were keen to keep developing their skills — especially in contact rugby.
With no facilities for these young men to explore their dreams in an appropriate environment, Sam McBurney and Tim Craig pulled together a number of ex-players and coaches to set up the first Mixed Ability Rugby team in Ulster in 2018.
A Historic Stage
Monday night training sessions saw growing numbers, with different Senior Ulster Squad players joining weekly to inspire and guide the team. Darren Cave, Ulster Rugby's former joint top-capped player, became the team's Patron, further solidifying the Tornadoes' identity as a Mixed Ability team where everyone is welcome and plays on an equal footing.
Malone Tornadoes showcased Mixed Ability Rugby on a historic stage, playing Banbridge during halftime of the Ulster v Toulouse European Cup match at Kingspan Stadium in front of 18,000 fans — the largest live audience in Mixed Ability history.
The moment was made even more special by the presence of seven father-son duos, including the referee, highlighting the strong family and community bonds within the team.
Pioneers of Mixed Ability Rugby
The Tornadoes played across Ulster, competing with supportive teams that embraced the concept, enhancing players' experiences. They also organised exhibition games to introduce Mixed Ability Rugby to new clubs and provide referees with opportunities to develop their skills.
Their expertise in the sport led to the formation of Banbridge Barbarians MAR, with whom the Tornadoes share a strong bond. During IMART 2022, when injuries struck, Tornadoes players stepped in to support the Barbarians, showcasing the spirit of camaraderie and teamwork that defines the club.
Under the guidance of renowned coach Stewart Porter, who represented Scotland and Ulster, and Sam McBurney, the Tornadoes have become pioneers in Mixed Ability Rugby. Collaborating with IMAS Ireland and Bradford's IMAS, they established Ulster Rugby's first Mixed Ability programme, leaving a lasting impact on players, families, and the wider community.
"Being part of the Malone Tornadoes has given me confidence I never knew existed."
— Malone Tornadoes Player
Want to be part of the story?
Whether you want to play, volunteer, sponsor, or simply show your support — there's a place for you at Malone Tornadoes.