Try! Director Explores Mixed Ability Rugby in Documentary Showcasing Community and Inclusion

A new documentary titled Try! highlights the journey of four Irish rugby teams as they prepare for the Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup. Directed by Oisín Mistéil, the film emphasizes the importance of community and participation over winning. It is set to premiere in the People & Community strand of the Sheffield DocFest on Saturday, June 13.

A Unique Perspective on Rugby

Try! offers a glimpse into the world of mixed ability rugby, a full-contact sport played by individuals with and without physical and learning disabilities. The documentary captures the essence of teamwork, resilience, and the joy of belonging, showcasing how these teams defy stereotypes.

The film follows the teams from their winter training sessions to the competitive atmosphere of the World Cup in Spain, where 32 teams from 16 countries compete. A synopsis notes, “The competition is real, the tackles are hard and the celebrations are harder.” It portrays a world where inclusion is the foundation, built through shared experiences and camaraderie.

Behind the Scenes of Try!

Produced by Claire McCabe and executive produced by David Collins, Try! features cinematography by Esme McNamee and editing by Keith Walsh. The film is being distributed by Pipedream Productions.

Mistéil, who did not play rugby in his youth but has a background in team sports, reflects on the significance of mixed ability rugby. He emphasizes that the sport serves as a reminder of what sports should be about—connection and community rather than mere competition. He recalls, “When I’m 80 years old, I’m not going to remember if we won division seven, but I’m going to remember the moments.”

Discovering the Sport

The director first encountered mixed ability rugby during the World Cup in Cork, Ireland, in 2022. He and producer Claire McCabe attended training sessions and matches to explore the community surrounding the sport. Mistéil describes the experience as eye-opening, stating, “Once we got down there and met some of the teams and players, it was like, ‘Oh my god, what an incredible community!’”

The initial challenge in creating the documentary was narrowing the focus due to the wealth of compelling characters and stories. Mistéil notes that beyond the sporting narrative, many players have overcome significant challenges to participate.

Capturing the Atmosphere

The film aims to capture the vibrant atmosphere of mixed ability rugby. Mistéil highlights the positive environment, stating, “It’s a very fun and funny environment, and nobody takes themselves too seriously, which is really refreshing.” He hopes this ethos resonates throughout the film, reflecting how players view their abilities.

To document the World Cup, the crew filmed extensively, capturing 32 days of footage prior to the event. Mistéil explains the need for comprehensive coverage, stating, “We had three cameras running around, because there was so much going on, and you’ve got no idea who’s going to make the finals.”

Prioritizing Safeguarding

Safeguarding was a critical aspect of the documentary’s production. Mistéil emphasizes the importance of building trust with the participants, noting that as filming progressed, relationships deepened. He acknowledges the added responsibility when working with individuals with mixed abilities, ensuring they understood the filming process and felt in control.

The team implemented various strategies to ensure informed consent, including simplified release forms and discussions with guardians. Mistéil expresses satisfaction with how the process unfolded, stating, “All of our characters were so, so giving.”

Balancing Themes in Editing

In the editing phase, Mistéil and editor Keith Walsh found that the emotional moments off the pitch became more significant than the matches themselves. He explains, “More and more, we felt that the matches became less important, and the stuff after the game became more important.” This shift allowed for a deeper exploration of the connections formed among players.

The title Try! was conceived early in the project. Mistéil credits a friend of producer Claire McCabe for the idea, emphasizing the significance of the exclamation mark. He believes it adds depth to the title, aligning it with a tradition of memorable film names.

As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.

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Published on 2026-06-11 13:00:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk