Club Focus: Estuary RFC

Based at Shanagolden in County Limerick, youth club Estuary RFC was formed in 2005 following the introduction of rugby at the local annual community games.

“It was a great success”, said Club President Joe Hoyne. Up until then rugby hadn’t been played in the area. The interest was remarkable and it was from there that we got the idea to start a club.”

“We ran a rugby Summer Camp, which had never been held in the area of West Limerick before, over 70 kids turned up so on that basis we knew there was a foundation for a club.”

Estuary RFC have made many strides over the years in the development of their facilities through many fundraising activities, working in conjunction with the local Soccer and GAA clubs.

“We were very lucky in that we didn’t have to go looking for a pitch. We used the community sports grounds, but we had to spend a huge amount of money draining it,” Hoyne said. “We made it suitable for children’s rugby and eventually put in an all-weather pitch with floodlights.

“We have also worked closely with the local Soccer and GAA clubs to put a fundraising plan together to provide shared dressing room facilities at the sports ground which we officially launched last year.”

Developing A Pathway……

Currently fielding three mini rugby sides at U8, U11 and U12 age grade, Estuary RFC have recently amalgamated their youth section with neighbouring club Newcastle West.

“We tried to fielding youth teams ourselves but have struggled due to our numbers. We put a plan in place to join up with Newcastle West at youth level from 13 to 18 which has been a huge success.

“On average, maybe five to eight children from our group travel to Newcastle West to train twice a week under lights and play every Sunday.

“Last year the Newcastle West/Estuary sides claimed the U13 and U15 North Munster League and the prestigious Munster U18 Youths Cup at Thomond Park which was a fantastic achievement.

“Newcastlewest have a very successful Junior side playing in Division 1 so we also see the amalgamation of great benefit to us long term, as it is a pathway for our club player to continue playing the game through to senior level.

“It works the same way with our girls rugby. We take girls at mini level form U8 to U12 who then go on to play with Abbeyfeale rugby club who have a fantastic ladies section.

Feeder Club………

In providing rugby for players at mini level Hoyne said Estuary RFC has become a ‘feeder club’ and is particularly proud of their former player, Munster Sub-Academy prop Ben Betts, who recently represented Munster to claim the U20 Interprovincial Championship.

“Ben is from Ballyhahill, which is a nearby village and came to play rugby with us when we first started up. A year later we played Young Munster at U12. That day someone from Young Munster saw him and asked him if he would come and play with them. We didn’t mind because they are a progressive club, we were just getting started and may not have survived.

“We are a feeder club and we’ve no problem being called that, said Hoyne. I believe the net has to be thrown out into wider parts of Ireland or players like Benn Betts would never come in contact with the game.

“Ben has since gone on to bigger things with Ireland (U19s) and Munster and hopefully, without injury, he’ll go all the way. I’d love to know who that Young Munster guy was that spotted Ben that day as he sure had an eye for talent!

Sustaining Rugby In Rural Ireland

Looking to the future Hoyne said the establishment of Estuary RFC has led to the introduction of rugby to young people living in rural Ireland and will continue to assist in providing a platform for their development within the sport.

“The greatest disappointment for me in rugby is the dropoff of players. We have a hardcore committee of five that have been there from the start and our job is to keep rugby going at Estuary and to help provide a pathway for our young players.

“If they players have nowhere to go they give the game up and that should never be the case, so we will continue to think outside the box and sustain rugby in the rural area of West Limerick.”

Newcastle West/Estuary U18 Youth Champions 2015