Rugby League communities unite to embrace World Down Syndrome Day

100 amateur Rugby League clubs unite across the country to participate in raising awareness to World Down Syndrome Day. 

On March 21st, 2025, World Down Syndrome Day is embraced as an awareness movement to help people understand and support those with Down Syndrome better.  

This year and organised by ‘Fat Monkey’, over 100 clubs across the Rugby League community are wearing odd socks as a recognised way of showing support - with the idea that this starts conversations by people asking “why?”, and the reply is of course, to recognise World Down Syndrome Day. 

The odd socks symbolise difference, and due to chromosomes having the appearance of socks this is where the idea originated from. The Rugby League community is passionate about spreading the message that: along with difference, everyone is accepted in Rugby League, therefore players will wear one community club sock, and one as bright as possible proving that difference belongs in our game, embracing everyone into the Rugby League family. 

‘Fat Monkey’ founded by Matt Parry and Craig Mulqueeney, were first made aware of the day in 2023 when Parry’s sons' team, Wigan St. Patricks Under 14s, played against Portico Vine 14s and both teams marked the occasion with Odd Socks - just two teams who had a close affinity to the condition. Fast forward to today, inspired by previous activations and Parry’s two daughters who have Down Syndrome, Abigail and Isobel; Matt alongside his daughters are extremely proud to have organised such an important movement across the community. 

Matt Parry said: “World Down Syndrome Day is bigger than Christmas for us. It’s a day to stop, reflect and set goals for the next 12 months. It’s a day to enjoy everything the girls bring to our lives, appreciate their inclusion and celebrate them as individuals.

"Changing perception, promoting inclusion and showing that everyone belongs is key in shaping the future for those people with Down Syndrome and our sport I believe being a real trailblazer in terms of inclusion and being a sport for all we can make a huge difference to people's lives.

"You can often see it as a throw away comment that Rugby League is a community, but I promise you I see it and I feel it. I am associated with Wigan St. Patricks and the way the club, the parents, the players treat my girls is out of this world. They are never left out at presentation evenings, always winning awards – they don’t play! Just cheer but the booming “Get off my brother” every time he is tackled can be heard over fields!" 

To find out more visit: https://www.fatmonkeyuk.com/.