2 weeks ago 
The Government of Ireland have announced that new public health measures are coming into place in April.
From April 26th, “underage non-contact outdoor training in pods of 15 can recommence for all exercise activities outdoors , subject to public health advice at the time.”
Provisionally, this means only under age sections clubs and schools in the Republic of Ireland will be able to offer non-contact rugby training from that date.
All clubs and schools who wish to resume rugby must have and up-to-date COVID-19 Safety Plan – No Plan, No Play.
On March 23rd, the IRFU and provinces facilitated a #ReadyForRugby Support Webinar on considerations for updating COVID-19 Safety Plans.
A recording of this webinar can be viewed at https://youtu.be/9nQM_q7UBM8
Following clarification from Sport NI and the NI Executive, clubs in Northern Ireland can resume outdoor training in distinct groups of 15 (inclusive of players and coaches) from April 12th.
Further information on permitted activities will be issued to all clubs and schools in due course.
More #ReadyForRugby information can be viewed at https://www.irishrugby.ie/running-your-club/return-to-rugby-for-clubs/
Additional upcoming webinars may assist your club or school in preparing for a resumption of rugby.
#ReadyForRugby Support Webinar 4: An Introduction To Coaching Touch Rugby
Time: Thursday 1st April 2021, 13:00 – 13:30
Registration Link: http://bit.ly/RFR-Web-4
Presenters:
Billy Ngawini (Ireland Touch Association)
IRFU COVID-19 Project Team
Suitable For:
Adult & Age-Grade Coaches
Team Managers
Club Officers & Volunteers
This webinar is designed to help clubs and schools who want to know more about touch rugby as an offering to players for skill development, fitness and fun. It will provide an overview of resources available for first-time coaches of touch rugby.
#ReadyForRugby Support Webinar 5: RugbyConnect Refresher For Administrators
Time: Tuesday 6th April 2021, 13:00 – 13:30
Registration Link: http://bit.ly/RFR-Web-5
Presenters:
Lucy Mulhall (IRFU)
Suitable For:
Club and School Administrators
Club Officers & Volunteers
RugbyConnect is the IRFU’s online administration system for clubs and schools. This webinar will walk through updates to the system and help refresh knowledge for clubs and schools ahead of any return to rugby activity.
Lend your voice to enhance player retention in Connacht
What is this research project about?
The Connacht Rugby vision and strategy plan aims to enhance the immediate sporting environment and retain players of both genders from the ground up. From this, the Connacht Rugby Age Grade Committee approached the University of Limerick through the “UL Beo” initiative (Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences) to examine ways that the branch could support the underage player pathway to better facilitate the playing experience, reduce drop out and ultimately see more players playing at all ages and continuing to adulthood as participants in rugby at all levels. These goals would be in line with the IRFU and Sport Ireland commitments to the Lifelong Involvement in Sport and Physical Activity Models and to help build the base of the performance pyramid.
This project is supported by the Lifes2Good Foundation. One of its aims is to support community initiatives in the West of Ireland and the foundation recognises the critical importance that local community sport plays in the wellbeing of people and the physical and social health of communities.
What has been done to date?
The project involves two work-packages, the first aimed at volunteer recruitment and support, the second work-package centred on player retention in the 16 to 20-year old age bracket.
Enhancing the volunteer experience: The initial drive, spearheaded by Dr. Gary Ryan, sought to investigate perspectives of current, former and potential volunteers to provide actionable points to Connacht Rugby in the short term. The final report documented the findings of two separate consultations: one with a group representing those currently active within Connacht Clubs and another called the “Seldom Heard Voices” which heard the voices of those thought to be on the fringes of the sport in the region. The report contains thirty recommendations for Connacht Rugby and for clubs in Connacht to implement. The recommendations are in areas such as Marketing, Club organisation, and Human Relations Management, and are currently under review.
Enhancing player retention: The second part of the initiative, steered by Dr. Phil Kearney and Patrick McEvoy, aims to enhance the immediate sporting environment to retain players of both genders, to encourage more young people to participate in rugby, especially from non-traditional cohorts and areas and to provide a sustainable framework to increase participation in Connacht Rugby in the medium to long term.
The first phase of this work-package was an exploration of the Connacht Player Database. In all over 33,000 entries were processed, focusing on whether factors such as number of appearances, playing for both club and school or at multiple age grades in a single season, and a player’s relative age influenced retention (fig. 1) 
The database executive report contains four principal findings and nine key recommendations to help increase player retention. These findings are currently being actioned by Connacht Rugby.
The second phase was a review of the current scientific literature relevant to player retention in sport. This literature report highlighted six key findings which will inform phase 3 of the project, but also provides recommendations to address current practices and enhance the player experience. The overarching themes of the review are illustrated in figure 2 below.
Figure 2: Key factors surrounding an individual’s intention to continue in their sport or to dropout
The third phase of the project is currently underway. Focus groups are being conducted with a range of stakeholders regarding the reasons why players aged 16-20 years are retained or drop out of rugby, to inform decision making on policies and enhance our rugby landscape as we look to the future.
Initial focus groups have already been conducted with parents of current players, current male players aged 16-18, current female players aged 16-18, and coaches of current players. It is important this research account for all perspectives on player retention. If you are involved in the rugby community in Connacht and you wish to add your voice to help shape our research, please click the link here to fill out the interest form (it will take about 90 seconds) and leave your preferred email address. Remember, your voice and your perspective is as important as anybody’s and will add to a meaningful step in keeping young players involved in club rugby.
If you wish to find out more information about what focus group participation means and what is involved, please click on the VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SHEET. There is also a brief description of what to expect and how each focus group is Focus Group outline attachment.
If preferred I can be contacted at [email protected]. I’m here to help and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
The brand new Connacht Rugby Summer SkillZone with totalhealth Pharmacy has seen bookings in huge numbers since its initial launch last week.
The series, which sees two-hour, one-day camps take place in 10 clubs across Connacht, begins this Friday. Two of those camps, at Galwegians RFC and Creggs RFC, are now completely SOLD OUT with just a handful of spots left in places like Connemara RFC, Ballinasloe RFC and Tuam RFC.
In these two hours, children will get to relive the enjoyment of rugby in their community with fellow players their own age, all under the guidance of fully accredited IRFU and Connacht Rugby coaches.
Most importantly, these SkillZones will be held in a safe and healthy environment, where the wellbeing of all attendees will be of absolute paramount importance.
Connacht Rugby would encourage parents, particularly in Loughrea, Sligo and the Mayo vicinity of Westport, Castlebar and Claremorris, to avail of the opportunity of sending their kids to a Summer SkillZone in advance of the planned reopening of the schools next month.
Joe Gorham, Head of Rugby Development at Connacht Rugby, says they have been blown away by the response to the Summer SkillZone series:
This has been a summer unlike any other. While there have been some extremely challenging times for everyone associated with rugby in Ireland, I am delighted to see such a positive response to our return to the Connacht communities with the Summer SkillZone series.
We are thrilled to see so many events already sell out, but I would also encourage everyone to consider a spot for their sons and daughters in one of our other camps where there is limited availability.
The Summer SkillZone is our first step towards a ‘new normal’ and we can’t wait to get it all started. We’d also like to say a particular thank you to our partners totalhealth Pharmacy for their continued support, particularly in these difficult times.”
For full details on our Summer SkillZone series, and to book a place, click on the link below.
BOOK A SUMMER SKILLZONE SPOT HERE
The IRFU are now in a position to add a ‘Competition Stage’ to their Return To Rugby Guidelines For Clubs.
This is to allow clubs to plan and work towards the start of the 2020/21 season and the playing of rugby matches.
September has been given as the month in which rugby matches will be permitted to return for clubs.
Given the changing nature of the reopening of society and the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, a specific date will not be issued until further clarity is available and will remain subject to change.
The given date will also factor in a minimum window of five weeks permitted for contact training ahead of a return to rugby matches.
The Competition Stage is the final stage in the summary roadmap of the IRFU Return To Rugby Guidelines. All clubs are currently in the COVID-19 Safety Planning Stage, which they must complete before moving to the resumption of training at any level.
The IRFU are working toward a modified season for 2020/21. The governing body recognises concerns over travel, safety and expense and this will be reflected in the season’s structure. Clubs should expect that games at the start of the season will be kept local where practicable.
Further detail on the structure of the season will also be issued in due course.
The IRFU Return To Rugby Guidelines For Clubs are available at https://www.irishrugby.ie/running-your-club/return-to-rugby-for-clubs
Speaking about the announcement, Chair of the IRFU Rugby Committee Greg Barrett said:
“This is another welcome step in our return to rugby. There is a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes in clubs at present as they put Health & Safety plans in place to manage the risk of COVID-19. This announcement helps give us all something to work towards.
“It’s important for rugby players to have competitive sport to look forward to and they deserve to know that our return to rugby guidelines are built around their welfare.
“We will provide further clarity on what the 2020/21 season will look like, but what we can say is that the first matches permitted will keep travel to a minimum.
“This should help with concerns around travel, but our hope is that this will also serve as an opportunity for the rugby community to support their clubs and help generate some much needed cash-flow.
“For now, I would urge clubs to continue to focus on completing the COVID-19 Safety Planning Stage of our guidelines and availing of the education & training supports that the IRFU have put in place. That is ultimately what will lead to the resumption of rugby as we know it.”
Connacht Rugby partners, Clubforce, are hosting a Webinar on Wednesday 10th June on the topic of ‘Fundraising in a Virtual World’, something that has become very relevant over the last few months.
Clubforce would like to share their wealth of experience and support in this area with all Connacht Clubs. We encourage a member of your club to attend online to gain some invaluable knowledge for future fundraising.
Clubforce: Fundraising in a Virtual World Webinar
Date: Wednesday 10th June
Time: 7 PM
Registration link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7314591670880317196
“While some clubs have frozen their fundraising activity and are waiting for “things to return to normal”, more and more clubs are recognising that we will have to adjust to a new normal and are accelerating their online fundraising efforts in anticipation of a return to sports participation in the near future. The old reliable ways of fundraising through in-person, cash-based fundraisers have become a thing of the past”.
“Clubforce offers clubs the flexibility to handle virtually any fundraising effort with ease online. We provide a range of alternative ways of generating revenue for your club from members and supporters at home and abroad. All fundraising activity is made easier with the Clubforce app, designed to make it easier to raise funds and manage member data from one complete club management system”.
In this webinar, Clubforce will look at
– Examples of current Club fundraisers on our system
– Communicating with your members with new fundraisers
– How to utilise the Clubforce App to promote sales
Following yesterday’s statement from the IRFU, Connacht Rugby wishes to reaffirm that the decision to conclude the 2019/20 season applies immediately to all domestic rugby within Connacht Rugby.
As is the case with the Men’s and Women’s Energia All-Ireland Leagues, there will be no promotion or relegation in the respective Connacht Rugby Leagues for 2019/20. All teams will remain in the leagues they are currently in for 2020/21.
In the respective Cup competitions where the two finalists are known, the cups will be shared with the two teams who have reached the final. In particular, this applies to the Connacht Junior Cup.
This also applies to the respective Connacht Schools competitions as there were a number of cups & leagues outstanding.
In total 69 leagues and cups were held across Adult, Schools and Youth Rugby. Of those competitions:
– 25 competitions have been completed with one winner.
– 15 competitions have ended with shared winners, based on the criteria set out by the IRFU Rugby Committee.
– 25 competitions have been declared incomplete.
– 4 competitions are listed as non-competitive.
The final status of each competition is listed below. While Connacht Rugby shares in the deep disappointment of the Club & Schools rugby community that the season was unable to conclude, we are fully supportive of the decision by the IRFU to put the physical welfare of our rugby community above all else.
We would encourage every member of our Clubs & Schools to continue to adhere to the advice of the HSE and the Irish Government in relation to the current COVID-19 outbreak, particularly with regards to social distancing at all ages.
Never before has the sense of community been more important to all of us. Please continue to look out for the vulnerable people within your localities and above, stay safe.
CONNACHT RUGBY COMPETITIONS CONCLUSION 2019/20
ADULT RUGBY
Women’s League – Westport RFC
Women’s Invitational Plate – Westport RFC 2nd XV
Women’s Invitational Bowl – Ballinasloe RFC
Women’s Cup – Incomplete
Senior League – Sligo RFC
Senior Cup – Sligo RFC
Cawley Cup – Creggs RFC
Curley Cup – Ballinasloe RFC & Corrib RFC shared
Ard na Cregg Cup – Incomplete
Junior Cup – Connemara RFC & Castlebar RFC shared
Junior Plate – Tuam RFC & Westport RFC shared
J1A League – Incomplete (Won by Connemara RFC prior to conclusion)
J1B League – Incomplete
J1C League – Incomplete
J2 League – Portumna RFC & Westport RFC 2nd XV shared
SCHOOLS RUGBY
Girls Junior 10s League – Incomplete
Girls Senior 10s League – Incomplete
U14 A League – Incomplete
U14 B League – Athlone CC
U14 C League – Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin
Junior A League – CBS Roscommon
Junior B League – Athlone CC
Junior C League – Gort CS
Senior A League – Sligo Grammar
Senior B League – St. Muredach’s College
Senior C League – Gallen CS
Junior A Cup – CBS Roscommon
Junior B Cup – Athlone CC & Coláiste Éinde shared
Junior C Cup – Enniscrone & Sancta Maria shared
Senior A Cup – Garbally College
Senior B Cup – St. Muredach’s College
Senior C Cup – St. Joseph’s Foxford & Gallen CS shared
YOUTH RUGBY
U14 Girls Div. 1 – Non-competitive
U14 Girls Div. 2 – Non-competitive
U16 Girls Div. 1 – Claremorris RFC
U16 Girls Div. 2 – Corinthians RFC & Westport RFC shared
U18 Girls Div. 1 – Ballinasloe RFC & Connemara RFC shared
U18 Girls Div. 2 – Corinthians RFC & Portumna RFC shared
U13 Boys Div. 1 – Non-competitive
U13 Boys Div. 2 – Non-competitive
U14 Boys Div. 1 – Buccaneers RFC (Black team)
U14 Boys Div. 2 – Ballinasloe RFC
U14 Boys Div. 3 – Gort RFC & NUIG RFC shared
U15 Boys Div. 1 – Sligo RFC
U15 Boys Div. 2 – Ballinasloe RFC
U16 Boys Div. 1 – Creggs RFC & Corinthians RFC shared
U16 Boys Div. 2 – Incomplete
U17 Boys Div. 1 – Ballina RFC
U17 Boys Div. 2 – Corrib RFC
U18.5 Boys Div. 1 – Ballinasloe RFC
U18.5 Boys Div. 2 – Corrib RFC & Westport RFC shared
U14 Girls Cup – Ballinasloe RFC & Creggs RFC shared
U14 Girls Plate – Incomplete
U16 Girls Cup – Ballina RFC & Claremorris RFC shared
U16 Girls Plate – Incomplete
U18 Girls Cup – Incomplete
U18 Girls Plate – Incomplete
U13 Boys Cup – Incomplete
U13 Boys Plate – Incomplete
U14 Boys Cup – Incomplete
U14 Boys Plate – Incomplete
U15 Boys Cup – Incomplete
U15 Boys Plate – Incomplete
U16 Boys Cup – Incomplete
U16 Boys Plate – Incomplete
U17 Boys Cup – Incomplete
U17 Boys Plate – Incomplete
U18.5 Boys Cup – Incomplete
U18.5 Boys Plate – Incomplete
Irish Rugby’s 2019/20 domestic season is to conclude with immediate effect due to ongoing concerns over coronavirus.
Government action in combatting the virus looks set to continue beyond March 29th. Irish Rugby wants to play its part while giving clubs the chance to put plans in place for the 2020/21 season.
The directive applies to all incomplete national and provincial competitions. It was ratified by the IRFU Rugby Committee on Thursday March 19th 2020.
Cups will be shared by finalists, where cup competitions have reached the final fixture.
There will be no promotion or relegation in any of the five divisions of the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League.
The planned expansion of the Energia Women’s All-Ireland League for the 2020/21 season remains in place.
There will be no league or cup winners in any competition organised at a national level including the Energia All-Ireland Leagues, Energia Women’s All-Ireland Cup and the Energia Bateman Cup.
The Fraser McMullen U20 Cup, the Junior Interprovincial Championships and the round-robin qualifiers for the Energia All-Ireland League will not take place.
Speaking about the announcement, IRFU Director of Rugby Development Colin McEntee said:
“The decision to end the domestic rugby season for 2019/2020 season has not been made lightly. All options were discussed and the IRFU is satisfied it has arrived at the only equitable solution.
These are challenging times for us all and we know clubs will be impacted by this directive, but we will look back at this season as one where we put the physical welfare of our rugby community above all else.
Clubs are now in a position to make plans for the 2020/21 season. We look forward to marking the 30th anniversary of the All-Ireland League.”
The Irish Rugby Football Union, together with Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster Rugby have announced the suspension of all Domestic Rugby activity from 6pm this evening 12th March until the 29th March (inclusive), in response to the latest Government advice on the Coronavirus (Covid – 19) pandemic.
Future Domestic Rugby activity will be reviewed in line with government advice.
Training and Playing
All Rugby activities across Clubs and Schools , from minis to adult rugby, must now cease.
Clubhouse Operations:
While Rugby Clubs may wish to continue to operate facilities such as bars and function-rooms they must observe government restrictions in relation to the number of people that may attend indoor (no more than 100 people) and outdoor (no more than 500 people) events.
Impact on fixtures of note:
We will work with clubs and schools to rearrange fixtures.
Professional Game:
Updates, when available, in relation to the professional game will come from tournament organizers.
’Learn to Perform’’ is a one day event brought to you by Connacht Rugby and Official Fuel Partner and Schools Cup Sponsor Top Oil for school players aged 16-18 and their coaches across the province.
The content on the day will be delivered by Connacht Rugby senior professional staff members and will be packed with helpful and practical tips to improve your game. Areas covered on the day will be:
Strength and Conditioning: Get game ready through strength and conditioning
Nutrition: Its importance to your performance
Match Analysis: Assess your game to gain an edge
Tackle Your Feelings: Deal with pressure on and off the field
Venue: Clubhouse Marque at the Sportsground, College Road, Galway
Date: Wednesday Feb 19th
Start Time: 10am sharp
Finish Time: 2pm
Lunch will also be included. Please note there is limited availability so the sooner you register in the link below, the better.
The Top Oil 2020 Connacht Schools Cups continue tomorrow with six week in all across four cups at Senior and Junior level.
The sole Senior A Cup comes from Pool 2 where Marist College play host to Sligo Grammar. With both sides already through to the semi-finals, this tie will determine who tops the pool and faces the runners-up in Pool 1.
It’s a big day in the Junior A Cup with two games that could have big ramifications on the make-up of the knockout stages. In Pool 1 Garbally College face Sligo Grammar, with Sligo knowing a win sends them into the semi-finals. With Marist (6 points) sitting between Sligo (9) and Garbally (5), they’ll also be eagerly awaiting the result from Garbally before their meeting with the reigning champions next week.
Things are slightly less complicated in Pool 2 where Summerhill take on St. Muiredach’s in a winner-takes-all final pool game. The victors will seal a runners-up spot behind CBS Roscommon and are guaranteed a place in the last four.
In the B ranks there’s one game at Senior level with St. Pauls Oughterard facing The Bish. Victory for the Bish will send them to the semi-finals while St. Pauls need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Lastly there’s two games in the Junior B Cup with Pres Headford taking on Pres Athenry in Pool 1, and St. Geralds Castlebar facing Rice College in Pool 3.
TOP OIL 2020 CONNACHT SCHOOLS CUP FIXTURES (WEDNESDAY 5 FEBRUARY)
Junior A Cup
Garbally College v Sligo Grammar
Summerhill v St. Muiredachs
Junior B Cup
Presentation Headford v Presentation Athenry
St. Geralds Castlebar v Rice College
TOP OIL 2020 CONNACHT SCHOOLS CUP FIXTURES (THURSDAY 6 FEBRUARY)
Senior B Cup
St. Pauls Oughterard v The Bish
TOP OIL 2020 CONNACHT SCHOOLS CUP FIXTURES (FRIDAY 7 FEBRUARY)
Senior A Cup
Marist College v Sligo Grammar
