On Sunday the 11th of October AVIVA teamed up with the IRFU to give 32 Irish schools the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of international rugby stars when they ran out on the AVIVA Stadium pitch to take part in the AVIVA Irish Rugby Schools Festival.
Among the 32 teams involved there was four schools from Galway; St. Jarlath’s, Tuam, St. Mary’s College, Galway, Scoil Chuimsitheacht, An Cheathru Rua, Galway and Ard Scoil Mhuire, Co. Galway.
Boys and girls teams from all four provinces took part in the IRFU organised Schools Festival. The schools were deliberately selected in order to give young players who don’t have the advantage of a strong rugby tradition in their schools the opportunity to experience playing on the hallowed turf and to grow their passion for the game.
Along with getting the once in a lifetime chance to play in the Aviva Stadium, they were joined by former Irish rugby star Kevin McLaughlin and 2015 Six Nations winner Jenny Murphy. McLaughlin and Murphy gave the 300 players some valuable coaching and playing tips …. along with the odd selfie.
Kevin McLaughlin, Former Ireland International said; “This is an amazing day for any young player. Even if they don’t have a huge interest in rugby at the moment, days like this can inspire young kids to take up the game in a more sustained way, join a club and get a real passion for the game. Hopefully we might see one or two if these running out here again in years to come in the green of Ireland.”
Jenny Murphy, Ireland Women’s International said; “The interest in women’s rugby has really surged in recent years thanks to the success of both the women’s and the men’s’ teams. However it’s vital that we have days like these to give young women the chance to experience the game and foster a passion to play regularly and join clubs. It’s days like these that will help to grow the game even more.”
Mark Russell, AVIVA Sponsorship Manager, said; “Aviva loves to support any initiative that gives young players the chance to play at the Stadium. It’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation of Irish stars and if days like these help young people get more involved in rugby or indeed, sport in general then that is a great legacy. It’s also good to cast the net beyond the traditional rugby schools to find players that might otherwise slip under the radar.”
Hendrik Kruger, IRFU National Age Grade Manager said; “This is a fantastic day for the kids from development schools getting one of their first taste of Rugby. For the kids to experience coming to the stadium and actually playing on the pitch, its massive and we hope it inspires them to continue in the game, to and hopefully in a few years we will see them playing in a world cup.
For more information on the AVIVA Irish Schools Rugby Festival then go to www.IrishRugby.ie
Loyola Nic Oirchtaigh, Neasa Mhic Dhonncha and Marcus O’Sullivan with Scoil Chuimsitheacht Chiarin, An Cheathru Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Noel Gavin and Stephen Reilly with Ard Scoil Mhuire Ballinasloe, Co. Galway ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
