It was a successful season for our Rugby Development Department as they worked hard to forge pathways and develop rugby players across the department
Scroll down to see some of the stats from the department this season.
A view of a recent blitz day in Dungarvan RFC[/caption]
264 primary schools took part in the Play Rugby programme this season. This initiative was introduced to create a safe space for young children to learn the game of rugby through games and fun activities.
Due to the high levels of participation in this programme the department were able to facilitate 47 blitz days.
As well as blitz days the department collaborated with the clubs to host different rugby events. This year saw Clonmel RFC host its first ever Spirit Of Rugby blitz in April with 42 teams from 21 clubs across Munster and Leinster travelling to take part.
Additionally, the Development Officers were also on hand to host this year's Munster Rugby Easter Camp where 91 kids descended on to Virgin Media Park for two days of games and fun.
A view of the North Munster Emerging Schools Finals Day[/caption]
The Emerging Schools Programme also saw success this year with 117 secondary schools engaging in both the boy's and girl's programmes.
The Development Department successfully ran 29 U14, 20 U15 and 13 U17 boys blitz days with a total of 6500 students taking part.
There were also 14 girls Emerging School blitz days held with a further 1600 girls taking part.
As well as the numerous 15-a-side blitz days the department also held 7-a-side blitzes to facilitate schools with smaller numbers with a total of 800 partaking in these games.
They also facilitated 13 transition year coaching courses to encourage the next generation to consider a career in coaching. These programmes enabled a further 275 students to become qualified coaches.
A view of this years Twilight 10s[/caption]
Twilight 10s returned once again this year with games in both the men's and the women's divisions. The men's had 22 players involved while the women's had 30.
This season also saw six Munster 3rd Level Institutions operate with college Rugby Development Officers. This expansion has allowed the game to continue to grow and thrive amongst the colleges.
One key indicator of this growth was the return of the NMCI rugby team for the first time in five years. You can read all about the teams return here.
Club Community Rugby Officer (CCRO) Scheme:
This season 36 part-time CCROs were employed in Munster with 45 clubs and 3rd level colleges partnering in co-funding the roles. The CCROs were an integral part of the support system that was created to help clubs grow the game. The CCROs collaborated with clubs to bring rugby to schools within the locality. They ran beginner sessions to encourage the students to give rugby a try with the hope that they'll join up with their local clubs at a later stage.Video | CCRO Induction Day 2024
Primary Schools
[caption id="attachment_194273" align="alignnone" width="835"] A view of a recent blitz day in Dungarvan RFC[/caption]
264 primary schools took part in the Play Rugby programme this season. This initiative was introduced to create a safe space for young children to learn the game of rugby through games and fun activities.
Due to the high levels of participation in this programme the department were able to facilitate 47 blitz days.
As well as blitz days the department collaborated with the clubs to host different rugby events. This year saw Clonmel RFC host its first ever Spirit Of Rugby blitz in April with 42 teams from 21 clubs across Munster and Leinster travelling to take part.
Additionally, the Development Officers were also on hand to host this year's Munster Rugby Easter Camp where 91 kids descended on to Virgin Media Park for two days of games and fun.
Secondary Schools
[caption id="attachment_194274" align="alignnone" width="1600"] A view of the North Munster Emerging Schools Finals Day[/caption]
The Emerging Schools Programme also saw success this year with 117 secondary schools engaging in both the boy's and girl's programmes.
The Development Department successfully ran 29 U14, 20 U15 and 13 U17 boys blitz days with a total of 6500 students taking part.
There were also 14 girls Emerging School blitz days held with a further 1600 girls taking part.
As well as the numerous 15-a-side blitz days the department also held 7-a-side blitzes to facilitate schools with smaller numbers with a total of 800 partaking in these games.
They also facilitated 13 transition year coaching courses to encourage the next generation to consider a career in coaching. These programmes enabled a further 275 students to become qualified coaches.
Video | Mount Mercy College TY Coaching Course
College Rugby
[caption id="attachment_190029" align="alignnone" width="835"] A view of this years Twilight 10s[/caption]
Twilight 10s returned once again this year with games in both the men's and the women's divisions. The men's had 22 players involved while the women's had 30.
This season also saw six Munster 3rd Level Institutions operate with college Rugby Development Officers. This expansion has allowed the game to continue to grow and thrive amongst the colleges.
One key indicator of this growth was the return of the NMCI rugby team for the first time in five years. You can read all about the teams return here.