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By John O’Sullivan
The Connacht Rugby For The Love of The Club event successfully raised over €30,000 for Club and Community rugby in the province.
The virtual run and or walk took place between March 17th and March 24th and invited participants to pay a registration fee of €10, with the option to donate further money. All of the money raised went to the club of the runner or walker's choice or, for the unaffiliated, was split evenly between the 26 affiliate clubs of Connacht.
Participants took part in 11 countries and 25 Irish counties, with over 2,000 people putting on their running shoes in support of Rugby in Connacht and logging the time it took them to complete their run or walk on the website, my run results.
Joe Gorham, Domestic Rugby Manager at Connacht Rugby, thanked all participants and club volunteers who organised their respective clubs’ social media campaigns and said the event showed the important role local rugby clubs play within their communities.
“The Virtual Run "For the Love of the Club" event has been a tremendous success for the Rugby club's in Connacht. It has generated a huge interest not just province-wide but indeed worldwide,” he said.
“The fun and enjoyment harnessed by the event within our Clubs has been a joy to behold, however, its greatest achievement has been the re-energising of our Clubs within their respective communities. A huge Thank you to all participants from all at Connacht Club & Community. Your entry fee & donations will make a massive difference to your local rugby club in these unprecedented times.”
Bank of Ireland, Connacht Rugby’s partners, sponsored €5,000 worth of Rhino Rugby equipment to be awarded to the club whose social media campaigns went the extra mile and the winner is to be announced in due course.
Andy Friend, head coach of the Connacht men’s senior team, also offered his services for a virtual training session with the club whose participants uploaded the funniest and most engaging videos or photos to social media.
