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Only just in the Leitrim Rugby Development Officer (RDO) role, it is evident to see that Sam Atumonyogo has already made his mark. On a wet chilly day in Dunmore last week, he stood on the sideline of a Senior Development Schools match between Carrick on Shannon Community School and Dunmore Community School constantly supporting his players, checking on the substitutes, and providing feedback at breaks and during the match always with a positive attitude that was shown by the players in return.
In this role, Sam works closely with Leitrim County Council and Leitrim Sports Partnership – a strategic partnership between the two organisations which allows for increased funding for grassroots rugby in the county. In this role, Sam focuses on a number of key pillars of rugby participation, including working directly with National & Secondary Schools, Women in Rugby, Diverse communities, people with a disability and adult rugby.
Name and Role: Sam Atumonyogo, Co. Leitrim Rugby Development Officer.
How long have you been in the role? I'm actually very new to my role! I only officially started up towards the end of August 2025.
What area of Connacht do you work with (club/schools)? I work with primary and secondary schools within Leitrim and then with Carrick-on-Shannon RFC.
What does a week look like for you in the Summer and then in season? I haven't experienced a week in Summer yet, but in season my mornings are pretty much taken up by [work in] primary schools - getting in to them and introducing rugby for all ages and abilities and all backgrounds starting from the basics and working up. Again, just making sure they're having fun and they're learning something from me. At the end of the day, my main thing is if they're having fun and they're enjoying having a ball in their hands, I've done my job right. My afternoons and evenings are more working with secondary schools and clubs. Secondary schools that might have a tiny bit of rugby going, [I] try to get in and push that - getting more numbers out and making sure that it's sustainable and that it's running all well. Schools that maybe don't have a rugby team but are really keen on having one, I'd be coming in and doing my best to coach them and give them my own knowledge and insights and giving them little things they can use to improve on and off the pitch.
Favourite Moment or Event? Being very new to the role, I feel like I'll have many more favourite moments and events. I'll say I'm tied between two moments: one being helping out with the re-ignition of the Carrick Community School rugby team and coaching them to theii first win against a tough Clarin College side. That was really enjoyable for me and for the lads as well. Tied with that then would have been going into my old primary school and teaching rugby to them and the response I got from teachers and the principal was a really nice and proud moment for me.
What do you love about being an RDO? I think point of contact is what I love most about being an RDO. If a question has to go up through Connacht Rugby, the RDOs are always a point of contact to get that message up [to their areas]. As well [as that], just helping out where needed. I think if there's ever a problem within schools or within a club, the RDOs are always there to help.
Why are RDOs important? I think RDOs play a vital role in linking Connacht Rugby to the County, and by the County I mean the schools in the County, the clubs in the County, and the County Councils themselves. Linking a big organisation such as Connacht Rugby with a County is a vital position for the growth of rugby. I feel like RDOs provide that sense of connection with Connacht Rugby. Sometimes schools and clubs can feel overshadowed by other schools or other clubs, so RDOs provide that straight connection with Connacht Rugby which is essential in rugby development in schools and clubs.
