Students at St Olaf’s NS, Sandyford, got a surprise at their weekly tag rugby training with Leinster Rugby CCRO (Club Community Rugby Officer) Jonathan Sharkey, when Niall Rynne, Leinster Rugby President, came along to say hello.
The students were playing some excellent tag rugby as Niall watched on and cheered from the sideline.
The games were fast and focused, showcasing what the children had all achieved in such a short space of time on the tag rugby programme Leinster Rugby offers to all schools, both primary and secondary.
When the training and games were done and the players had time to catch their breath, Niall was more than happy to spend time answering questions from the students while also telling the kids more about Leinster Rugby.
The questions were very good with some great ones to make Niall think, but one message was very clear from Leinster Rugby’s President Niall Rynne: “Everyone should try a sport at least once, have fun and, no matter what sport you try, it is always great to be active.”
During the games, Niall had the time to talk to the teachers of the school and get their feedback – which was very positive – on how the students liked the challenge of learning a new sport while being active outdoors.
The programme is supported by St Olaf’s NS principal, Mr Ger Murphy, and teacher, Elaine Bloomer, who runs after-school training. Elaine is a certified tag rugby coach having completed her tag teacher training last summer.
She said: “I can notice the difference in the players after the programme and it’s great to see more and more kids being involved.”
It was a pleasure to have Niall Rynne as part of the coaching session with St Olaf’s NS and we look forward to him making a surprise visit again.
For more information on getting rugby to your school in the Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown area, please contact Jonathan on DLRCCRO@leinsterrugby.ie.
