A CITY centre ceremony, a conference and an all day festival ahead of the final match are part of the first international mixed-ability rugby tournament being held in Bingley next month.

International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS) is organising the inaugural competition involving 400 players from ten different countries over five days in August.

The competition, which runs from August 17 to 21, is free and will also offer opportunities for people to sample inclusive sports with a special event in Centenary Square, Bradford.

Matches are being held at Bradford & Bingley Sports Club in Bingley - the home of the Bumble Bees, England's first mixed-ability rugby team.

The pool games take place on the Tuesday, with the semi-finals on the Thursday, followed by the final from 5pm on the Friday.

The tournament will kick off with an opening ceremony from 2pm in Centenary Square on the Monday, which includes welcome speeches. Later the focus will switch to the Big Screen, where video messages will be played, including one from RFU president Jason Leonard.

There will also be an invitation-only conference being held in City Hall on Wednesday, August 19, where rugby, disability and the role of education in sport will be discussed.

Speakers include former MP Gerry Sutcliffe, patron of the tournament and a former sports minister, as well as Steve Grainger, the Rugby Football Union's rugby development director.

In addition between 11am and 2pm on the same day there will be an inclusive sports day in Centenary Square, organised by Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure, where there will be opportunities to try out wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, and adapted cycling.

Mark Goodwin, director of IMAS and Bumbles manager, said: "Since 2009 we have received magnificent support from the Workers Educational Association and the Rugby Football Union and it's the combination of rugby and education which has allowed us to plan and organise the first tournament of its kind in the world.

"It's exciting, competitive rugby and we are involving people with disabilities in every aspect of the game."

On the final day, there will be a festival organised by Disability Rocks from 10.30am at Bradford & Bingley Sports Club, with live music, stalls and entertainment, following by the final of the competition at 5pm, with an awards ceremony and band night at 7pm.

Two cups will be handed out - one to the winner of the tournament, and the other a specially-designed trophy to recognise the spirit of mixed-ability rugby.

Fundraising has been taking place in order to host the event, including a successful £50,000 crowdfunding bid, as well as a gala dinner at the beginning of this month.

In addition organisers have secured grants from the Department of Culture Media and Sport and sponsorship from local businesses.

For more information visit mixedabilitysports.org.