Leinster Rugby, in conjunction with Athy RFC, delivered a tag rugby session earlier this month at Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Athy, as part of Kildare Sports Partnership.
The programme is being coordinated by Aine Buggy – Sports Inclusion Disability Officer for Kildare Sports Partnership – and is open to children with disabilities who attend Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Athy, on Wednesdays from 4-5pm.
The rugby programme is facilitated by Athy RFC CCRO (Club Community Rugby Officer) Tadhg Kelleher and North Midlands CRO (Community Rugby Officer) Joe Carbery.
The follow up to the first session will be a six-week programme starting on 17th January 2018. The session content will be based first and foremost around the kids having fun, followed by developing the players’ core agility, balance and coordination required for physical development and general movement in all sports in combination with the core skills of rugby – the pass, run and evasion etc..
At this stage the programme has roughly 15 participants and is well-supported by parents.
The programme highlights the development and on-going relationship Leinster Rugby and the North Midlands rugby clubs have with Kildare Sports Partnership. Laois Sports Partnership also works closely with Leinster Rugby and the North Midlands clubs. This type of relationship with local councils is replicated throughout the province.
The councils and Leinster Rugby are working together to grow and develop community participation in sport and this was especially evident at the recent launch of the Kildare Sports Partnership Strategic Plan, 2017-2021.
Other joint programmes between Leinster Rugby and local councils include ‘Games on the Green’, ‘Silver Sneakers’, ‘Fun for All Tag’ and ‘Council Camps’, to name a few.
For further information on how your school can get involved in rugby in the North Midlands area please contact Joe Carbery on 085-7618645 or email joe.carbery@leinsterrugby.ie.
