For the past 10 years The Saints have provided a platform for kids in a non-traditional rugby area to play and experience the game. Last month saw the start of a brand new after-school rugby club, catering for kids aged 7-12.
James Boxwell, coach at the Liberty Saints RFC, started playing rugby for the Saints in 2005 when he was 14 years old.
Boxwell remembers the early days when there were just a few players and virtually no facilities. He and the team trained wherever they could find grass. As time went on, the squad evolved and he continued to play, eventually taking on the role of coach.
Highlights of his time with the Saints include friendships made, along with the opportunity to pass his rugby knowledge on to the next generation of players.
The Liberty Saints, along with Leinster Rugby, are working hard to make sure that kids in the area have a chance at giving rugby a go. Training takes place every Thursday in The Liberty Saints training grounds at the back of St. James Primary School from 2.45pm-4pm.
Kids are being given the chance to come and take part in training sessions run by Liberty Saints Coach, Ciaran Cullen, and Leinster Community Rugby Officer (CRO) for Dublin South Central, Gareth Murray.
So far the reaction and uptake has been brilliant and everyone involved is looking forward to seeing the game of rugby really flourish in the area.
Any school, parents or kids looking to get involved in the programme can contact Leinster Rugby CRO Gareth Murray on the details below.
Gareth Murray
Telephone: 085-7341464
Email: gareth.murray@leinsterrugby.ie
