400 Kids From 25 Clubs Set For National Aviva Minis Festival
400 kids from 25 clubs from across Ireland will get the opportunity to play at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday (May 20) as part of the Aviva National Mini Rugby Festival.
The teams involved have been drawn from the four regional Aviva Minis Festivals held in Ballyclare (Ulster), Co. Carlow (Leinster), UL Bohemians (Munster) and Ballina (Connacht).
This will be the fourth time that the festival is staged at the home of Irish Rugby, thanks to Aviva’s sponsorship of Mini rugby.
The boys and girls from across Ireland will be playing against each other in a non-competitive and fun environment, and they will also have the opportunity to take a tour of the Aviva Stadium on the day, where they can see where their Ireland heroes prepare to run out onto the hallowed turf.
The great Ireland prop Mike Ross and Ireland Women’s star Jenny Murphy will be at the Aviva Stadium to offer expert tips and advice to all the players and coaches in attendance.
Ahead of the event, Eoin Hogan, IRFU Age Grade Manager, said: “There has been great excitement since the participating teams were drawn in February. The National Festival at the Aviva Stadium is the culmination of all the Aviva Mini Rugby activity across the island, in particular the provincial festivals held in Ballyclare RFC, Ballina RFC, County Carlow FC and UL Bohemian RFC in October.
“Mini rugby is Ireland’s largest participation section of rugby and a vital platform to launch what is hoped will be a player’s long association with the sport.”
Ireland flanker Jordi Murphy, who will also attend the festival this Saturday, commented: “I’ve seen how much fun the young players have had at the provincial Aviva Minis events this season, so I’m really looking forward to being a part of the festival this Saturday.
“Playing in the Aviva Stadium is a huge honour, so hopefully we’ll see some of the kids involved this weekend returning to play in the green of Ireland in the future.”
TEAMS FOR THE 2017 AVIVA MINIS FESTIVAL – AVIVA STADIUM (Saturday, May 20):
Under-10 Boys –
Armagh RFC
Balbriggan RFC
Ballinasloe RFC
Ballymena RFC
Bruff RFC
Castlebar RFC
Co. Carlow FC
East Clare Eagles RFC
Kilkenny RFC
Inishowen RFC
Kilkenny RFC
Lisburn RFC
Mallow RFC
Oughterard RFC
Westmanstown RFC
Under-12 Girls –
Ballina RFC
MU Barnhall RFC
Mullingar RFC
Virginia RFC
Portumna RFC
For more information on the Aviva National Mini Rugby Festival, log on to www.irishrugby.ie/avivaminis.