When and how did you join Kilkenny Rugby Football Club.
As part of my training to be a P.E. teacher in the eighties, I choose “Field Games” as one of my options. However female students were not allowed to participate in the rugby module as at that time rugby was a male only sport! It was the early nineties before I got my first experience of playing rugby and I adored it, it was such a contrast to the other sports I was playing at the time.
Life continued and in 2003, I found myself at a local soccer blitz with my five year old son Hugh. Unfortunately Hugh had only ever seen rugby, not soccer. on T.V. He proceeded to rugby tackle every player near the ball and catch the throw ins. Willie and Fiona O’Mahony, who were both pitchside told me to bring him into the rugby club. I didn’t think they would entertain a five year old, but they did and my family are happily involved ever since.
What is your favourite part of being a member of Kilkenny RFC.
As a parent, I liked the fact that rugby took my sons out of their local environment where they met the same people at soccer, scouts, hurling etc and introduced them to a bigger world. I believe that their experience in KRFC has equipped them to deal with the many twists and turns that life has brought them. I love the fact that both of them are still playing rugby. One plays in Australia with teammates from U8 level in KRFC and the other plays with UCD.
Over my career I have coached in many sporting disciplines, but by far the most enjoyable experience in my 40+ years of coaching is Mini-Rugby. The IRFU call this the “FUN” step on the rugby ladder and it is a pleasure to be involved in. Every child is considered equal and given equal opportunities in an enjoyable environment while they develop fundamental rugby movement and skills.
What are your ambitions for Kilkenny Rugby this season?
The last five years has seen an incredible growth in the number of girls playing rugby in Kilkenny. We are presently fielding 3 youth girl’s teams and a Senior women’s team. There is also a dedicated section for mini girls. The Club CCRO officer Noel Devlin is running a blitz for 6th class girls on Sept 25th.
This season, Rachel Brickell will line out with the Senior women’s team. She is the first female to progress from Mini rugby to Senior rugby in Kilkenny. My hope is that many more girls will follow in her footsteps.
My main ambition would be to nurture this progress in girls and womens rugby and continue to help it grow.
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