Aldi Play Rugby Leads To The Aviva Stadium In May

There’s been a spring in the step for children involved in Aldi Play Rugby this season. The programme has already gotten over 100,000 primary school pupils playing rugby this season, many for the first time, but it means a little bit more in 2021/22 with COVID-19 Response Plans allowing for more meaningful play time and structured sport.

Aldi Play Rugby has played its part and now the popular programme is preparing for its national festival which will return to the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday May 18^th 2022.

300 children from 16 schools will get the chance to play on the Aviva Stadium pitch as well as receive a tour of the stadium and meet some current Ireland rugby internationals.

Aldi Play Rugby Regional Festivals are currently taking place throughout the four provinces with the 16 schools to be selected from those regional participants. Anyone interested in registering their school for a regional festival should contact their local rugby officer.

IRFU Children & Youth Development Manager Colm Finnegan told IrishRugby.ie that, “This is a once in a life time experience for these children at a time when they are developing their love for rugby and sport in general.”

“It means a huge amount to see the return of these types of event after a three year absence. The joy of Aldi Play Rugby is in the everyday enjoyment of rugby and learning new skills with your friends and school mates but the National Festival creates some really special memories.

The focus is purely on fun and participation. It’s a non-contact format and we’ll have a couple of international stars on the day to offer some pointers.”

For more on the Aldi Play Rugby programme, head to https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/age-grade/aldi-play-rugby-main/