All-Inclusive Half-time Mini Rugby Initiative

03 October 2017

All-Inclusive Half-time Mini Rugby Initiative
Connacht Rugby are delighted to announce that we are opening up our half-time Mini Rugby games to give even more young players than ever before the opportunity to play in front of a packed-out Sportsground on matchday.

The all-inclusive new initiative will see teams from U8s up to U12s playing at half-time along with a special day for Connacht’s Disability Rugby teams to play at half-time in a first for the province.

All-girls matches and all-primary schools matches will also be played with our 27 clubs represented at Connacht matches over the next two seasons as four teams from four different clubs will take to the field at each game.

Connacht captain John Muldoon and Dave Heffernan conducted the draw along with Special Projects Officer for Connacht Rugby, Emer O’Dowd.

[embed]https://youtu.be/1ScOlFc0Yl0[/embed]

Joe Gorham, Domestic Rugby Manager at Connacht Rugby, said:

“Stepping out onto the pitch at the Sportsground is a dream for the young players of our clubs from across the province. We want to make this dream a reality for as many young players as possible from all five counties of Connacht.

“The fantastic work being done by volunteers in our clubs and schools gives a huge number of young people the opportunity to play rugby.

“I am delighted that we can open up the Sportsground to as many of these young players as possible.”

The full details for the half-time Mini Rugby games are below.

The U11s of Galway Bay RFC, Corinthians RFC, Loughrea RFC and Galwegians RFC were drawn to take  part in the half-time Mini Rugby game at last month’s PRO14 clash between Connacht and Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground.

For more details on this initiative, please email info@connachtrugby.ie.

Connacht v Worcester Warriors (Saturday, October 21, 3pm)

Half-time Mini Rugby teams: U12s – Westport RFC, Carrick on Shannon RFC, Oughterard RFC, Corrib RFC.

Connacht v Cheetahs (Saturday, November 4, 7.35pm)

Half-time Mini Rugby teams: U10s – An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí, Ballinrobe RFC, Portumna RFC, Sligo RFC.

Connacht v Brive (Saturday, December 16, 3pm)

Half-time Mini Rugby teams: U8s – Creggs RFC, Tuam RFC, Buccaneers RFC, Ballinasloe RFC.

Connacht v Oyonnax (weekend of January 20)

Half-time Mini Rugby teams (Girls): Oughterard RFC, Buccaneers RFC, Loughrea RFC, Claremorris RFC.

Connacht v Ospreys (Weekend of February 10)

Half-time Mini Rugby teams (Girls): Ballina RFC, Portumna RFC, Galwegians RFC, Monivea RFC.

Connacht v Zebre (Weekend of February 17)

Half-time Mini Rugby teams: (Disability Rugby, clubs to be decided)

Connacht v Edinburgh (Weekend of March 23)

Half-time Mini Rugby teams: (Schools Rugby, primary schools to be decided)