Team Colostomy UK: Changing Perceptions, One Game at a Time

22 April, 2026

By Giovanni Cinque

Our very own, rugby-mad, Giovanni Cinque explains how being part of Team Colostomy UK has changed lives.

Team Colostomy UK is kicking off its ninth season of rugby league. Over the years, it has grown into far more than a sporting side. It has become a symbol of what ostomates can achieve, on and off the pitch, while challenging outdated perceptions and sparking conversations about confidence, inclusion, and quality of life.

From full-contact rugby league to wheelchair, touch, and tag formats, Team Colostomy UK has always focused on making the sport accessible.

Our aim is simple: to create opportunities for people with a stoma to participate, enjoy themselves, and excel in a supportive environment that understands their needs.

Yet we know that taking up a new sport can feel daunting, especially after surgery or during recovery. That’s why we are sharing some experiences from players who once wondered if sport was possible for them, but who are now proud to pull on the purple jersey.

Ed Rowland recalls speaking at a Colostomy UK event about his rugby league experience with a stoma. While the response was overwhelmingly positive, one question stood out. A wheelchair-user asked “What about me? I’m limited in what I can do sport-wise.”

That question reinforced why the wheelchair rugby league team was needed. For Ed, it represents Colostomy UK’s commitment to asking “why not?” rather than accepting limitations. By empowering people with a stoma and limited mobility, the team helps individuals change their own narratives, boosting confidence, mental wellbeing, and quality of life. The impact reaches far beyond the pitch.

For Tim Cree, wheelchair rugby league gave him the chance to play again after initially focusing on contact rugby. It allowed him to remain a full team member and rediscover a sense of belonging. Playing from a chair removes the focus from disability and puts it back on enjoyment, teamwork, and the game itself.

Steve Fisher’s journey followed immense personal challenges. In 2018, he lost his mum to cancer, before a severe flare of ulcerative colitis led to multiple surgeries and long hospital stays. During that time, he made a bucket list that included playing sport again. Scoring in his first match for Team Colostomy UK, with his children watching, was unforgettable. Steve describes the charity and team as “amazing,” highlighting how they bring visibility to a hidden disability.

For Isabel Peña Barrientos, rugby league was never part of the plan. After years of severe illness, life-saving stoma surgery, and long hospital stays, she wondered what her future might hold. Watching Team Colostomy UK play in 2019 was a turning point. Inspired by the diversity, inclusion, and camaraderie she saw, Isabel imagined herself playing. From practising basic skills during lockdown to her first match in 2021, she discovered not only a new sport but a new sense of possibility. Her message is clear: having a stoma does not mean life stops or slows down. It means adapting and finding safe, supportive ways to do the things we love.

If these stories resonate with you, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re interested in playing or simply supporting. Get in touch at getinvolved@colostomyuk.org and become part of a team that proves that a stoma doesn’t define what you can achieve.