With the ink not yet dry from the end of the 2011/12 season, preparations at Arklow Rugby Club have already resumed in earnest for the 2012/13 season…

Pre-season training has begun and although earlier than usual, this renewed enthusiasm will come as no surprise to members as the club have lots to be positive about for the season ahead.

After a couple of tough years in the club Arklow Rugby Club have seen their fortunes return in recent years. This has mainly come about through a combination of factors. These include the emergence of the ladies team which has brought a renewed vigour to the club, a growing minis section which has seen increased support from parents, the performance of the club’s successful Under-19 side under coach Barney Hynes and an increase in training numbers throughout last season. This culminated in the 1st team securing promotion to Division 2B of Leinster League at the end of last season.

Arklow now face into the new season with the same squad plus a couple of new faces. This includes former captain and Old Wesley 1st team regular Richard Murphy who returns after a couple of successful seasons with the Dublin 4 club.

Arklow have also appointed a new head coach, Patrick Collins. Collins, a Grade 3 IRFU coach brings a wealth of coaching experience to the club having previously coached The Irish Exiles, been a development coach at Munster and a coach at Wanderers. The club have also appointed a new captain in out-half Mark Van Esbeck. It is hoped that with their strengthened squad and Collins coaching experience Arklow Rugby Club can equip themselves successfully in what is sure to be a challenging division.

To celebrate the launch of the new season Arklow Rugby Club are hosting a family Tag Rugby tournament on Saturday 21st July. This will include an all day tag tournament involving upwards of ten teams and lots of activities for the family including BBQ, bouncy castle and face painting. Entrance on the day is free and all new members are very welcome. Weather permitting, the day will start at 12pm with the tag tournament finishing up at around 6pm and the bar will be open till late.

Anyone interested in submitting a team or indeed if they would like to play on a team, are asked to email their details to arklowrfc@gmail.com