Playing rugby has helped a young boy suffering with mild autism improve his confidence and social skills outside the field.

Elliot Coutts Miller, 12, who has a mild autistic spectrum disorder, has been able to improve his social abilities whilst taking part in the Twickenham Stoop Harlequins summer camps.

Looking for a way to keep active during the school holidays, after growing too old for the Fit for Sport scheme at Staines Leisure centre, Elliot’s parents found the summer camps as a possible alternative.

Karen, the boy’s mother, said: “We weren’t really sure how he’d get on.

“Elliot has mild ASD, which sometimes means he struggles socially, and he does take instructions incredibly literally.”

The novice rugby player found that his love and participation in rugby also improved his skills off the pitch and enabled his parents to manage his ASD.

“When we collected him at the end of the first day not only had he loved the training, he’d also made a new friend and was desperate to get the train by himself the next day rather than us taking him right to the door – another new skill,” added Karen.

Since attending the summer camps, Elliot ‘s courage has grown and he also been selected for his school’s rugby team and been invited to play in various inter-school competitions.

The rugby player’s mother said, “It was important to us that he should continue something that would help him socialise, instil a sense of teamwork and keep him active.”

For more information about The Harlequins Summer Camps, held in August at The Twickenham Stoop, visit www.quins.co.uk