Young Munster RFC, in conjunction with the Limerick Regeneration Group and Southill Junior School, recently hosted an event aimed at bringing rugby to the community of Southill, Co. Limerick.
A large crowd, comprising mainly of children, gathered on the green adjacent to the Southill Area Centre to welcome Munster and Ireland’s Keith Earls, Young Munster director of rugby Mike Prendergast and Young Munster’s Munster Senior Cup-winning captain Ger Slattery.
The level of excitement was incredible and Keith and his colleagues spent much of their time mingling with the crowd, signing autographs and posing for photographs.
This is the first in a series of initiatives that Young Munster RFC are undertaking in conjunction with the Limerick Regeneration Agency to engage with children living in the regeneration areas on the southside of the city, namely, Southill and Ballinacurra Weston.
Several meetings have taken place between Brendan Collopy, Hon. Secretary Young Munster RFC, Ger O’Shaughnessy, Hon. Treasurer Young Munster RFC and Kieran Ryan, Asst. Director of Limerick Regeneration Agency, to identify how Young Munster can encourage more children from these estates to play rugby.
The success of this event highlights how Open Days in residential estates can attract a great following and generate great enthusiasm amongst residents.
It is hoped that other sporting clubs will follow Young Munster’s lead and agree to host similar type events.
Young Munster have recently completed the installation of all-weather pitches which will greatly enhance their ability to increase the number of children they can facilitate.
These pitches will also be available to rent to various sporting groups and organisations in the coming future.
While Young Munster, based at Tom Clifford Park, is not located within one of the regeneration designated areas, they are nonetheless in close proximity to Southhill and Ballinacurra Weston which have historically served these communities very well over the years and remain committed to continue this support.
Munster Rugby’s Community Rugby Officers Ross Callaghan and George Guilfoyle were both in attendance on the day and are hopeful that it will encourage local youths to become actively involved in the sport.
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