Portumna Building Girls Rugby Presence
Portumna have made great strides in building girls rugby in the area this season. Ireland international Nora Stapleton visited the club recently to see how they are getting on.
After much deliberation, this season the club made the decision to try and promote girls rugby. From the beginning, a small but dedicated coaching team have increased attendance from 3 to a total of 33 girls currently playing rugby.
The club now have two all-girls teams (U12 and U15) made up of players from the surrounding parishes of Tynagh, Loughrea, Mullagh, Woodford, Leitrim, Killimor and Lorrha.
The U12’s have been enjoying mini festivals around the Province. To date they have attended festivals in Galwegians, Buccaneers, Oughterard and Claremorris. Saturday March 28th sees them host their first ever U12 All Girls mini blitz in Portumna Rugby Pitch.
The U15’s have competed in blitz and league competitions. The highlight to date has been the experience of representing Connacht at half time in Ireland Women’s Six Nation match versus England in Ashbourne.
Such is the success of girl’s rugby in the club, the U12 and U15’s were jointly nominated and shortlisted for the 2014 Galway County Council Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards in the Sports Section.
The skill and dedication of these girls are raising serious eyebrows around the club and everyone can see that there is huge potential for the female section of the club to grow.
They have brought a new energy and buzz to the club and have even appear to have taken over their Facebook page (Portumna Girls Rugby). It is safe to say Girls Rugby is alive and well in Portumna.
U15’s train on Wednesday’s from 7-8pm in the Sign Out Café all weather pitch and again on Sunday’s from 10-11am.
U12’s train Sunday mornings at 10-11am in Portumna Rugby Pitch.
Contact 087-9515023 for further details.
New members are always welcome. The only requirement is to display a willingness to learn and to have some fun in doing so.