Girls Secondary Schools Heading To Aviva Stadium

Sixteen teams from girls secondary schools in all four provinces will take part in thenational finals of the GX7s in Aviva Stadium this week.

On Wednesday 27th April Aviva Stadium will  host the National Finals Day of GX7s. A girl’s secondary school, modified cross pitch 7s rugby tournament which has seen huge uptake across the country this season.

Over the past three months, schools in all four Provinces have been tried out out the new form of the game.

Schools then entered in to Provincial qualifying festivals in order to get a chance to win a place in the National Finals Day.

Four lucky schools from each Province will make the trip to Lansdowne road on Wednesday to line up in the Aviva Stadium and participate to see who will be crowned National GX7s winners.

Ireland 7s and XVs players will be on hand during the day to share tips with the players and watch the rugby on show while Ireland U18 Seven’s Head Coach, Stan McDowell, will be keeping a close eye on potential players for his squad.

IRFU Women’s and Girl’s Development Executive, Nora Stapleton said “The uptake within each of the Provinces has been fantastic. Small sided games work well with this age group in order to help increase the participation numbers and using a half pitch means we cater for all sorts players, from total beginners to those who have been playing in a school/club for a number of years.

The support from the Branches has been excellent in ensuring the schools are aware of the rules and the festivals are run professionally. Our aim is to increase the number of schools participating in next year’s event and to provide as many girls as possible with the opportunity to play rugby as well as progressing on to the pathway to play with Province and/or Ireland. “

GX7s National FInals Day, Aviva Stadium

Ulster

Enniskillen Collegiate
Monaghan Collegiate
Magh Ene College, Bundoran
Kilkeel High School, Co.Down

Connacht
Ard Scoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe
Sacred Heart, Westport
Mercy Tuam
Convent, Ballina

Munster
Colaiste Na Toirbhirte, Bandon
Colaiste Ide & Josef, Abbeyfeale
Rockwell College, Cashel
Ardscoil Mhuire, Limerick

Leinster
Sacred Heart, Tullamore
Tullamore College
The Kings Hospital, Dublin
Wesley College/Scoil Mhuire, Clane