Walking Tracks

IRFU has partnered with Healthy Ireland to develop walking tracks in clubs to support the provision of physical activity opportunities to members and the wider community, with particular focus on attracting people to the club who may have barriers to accessing physical activity in their locality, such as those with mobility restrictions or other inactive groups, such as women and girls and/or local ethnic communities. 

There are currently 38 clubs in receipt of funding from Healthy Ireland to assist them with the development of their walking tracks and further information on walking challenges and related projects is available through the Healthy Clubs Coordinator. 

Rugby clubs are places people can enjoy, not only physical activity, but also positive mental health through their engagement on the pitch and in the club. 

If there is an inclusive culture, clubs can work together to positively influence the environment and create a safe, fun and respectful community where members feel they belong.

IRFU created some mental health resources to support clubs in making people feel welcomed, engaged, safe and supported. 

There is a club toolkit, posters, zip files for social media graphics and a list of contacts for external groups for expert guidance and a critical incident document. Training is available for those working with you, the One Good Coach programme with Jigsaw, as well as a general mental health club awareness module for committees, coaches and volunteers. Contact the Healthy Clubs Coordinator to receive the resources and access to the training is here: https://educationstore.irfu.ie/catalog?pagename=IRFU-SP-DEPT 

While IRFU and clubs don't have a central role in management of members preventative health, we acknowledge that clubs are places where people can improve their health by increasing physical activity and healthy eating and minimise their exposure to harmful behaviors as they can impinge on performance, such as smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs.  

For information on anti-doping that relates only to performance enhancement and not drug awareness see, https://www.irishrugby.ie/participation/spirit-rugby/anti-doping

We are working with Healthy Ireland and other agencies to provide information on preventative health and how your club can contribute through schemes like, smoke & vape free environments; more information will be available soon. 

As part of a series of initiatives in making Irish rugby more female friendly, the IRFU is setting a new standard of period care and awareness across its affiliated clubs. Irish Rugby joined the FabLittleBag© ‘Period Supportive’ movement in 2024 by purchasing FLB dispensers and period products for teams in the Women’s All Ireland League, Celtic Challenge and pathway teams. In 2025 it supplied clubs across the 4 provinces with dispensers and coaches bags through an application process. There are now almost 100 clubs with FLB products.  

64% of women and girls reported that period management was a factor in dropping out of sport and 78% reported missing training and matches due to lack of support and facilities when on their period. This is why it’s important for clubs to get involved in the ‘Period Supportive’ movement by giving women and girls access to the products they need to feel welcomed and included. Products such as the FLB dispenser allow for discrete and hygienic disposal of products or the ‘coaches bag’, that can be added to the team’s kit bag, allows players to manage and dispose of period products without embarrassment. A smaller personal bag is also available to provide support to female match officials and/or visiting teams.

Clubs who wish to find out more information can visit https://fablittlebag.eu/pages/sports-clubs-and-schools You can download resources that can be used around the club to raise awareness of the topic read more below. It is our hope that as many clubs as possible will sign up to the FLB Period Supportive Kitemark scheme over the coming seasons to normalise this topic for women and girls and to create a greater understanding of factors that can affect the performance of female players and the female coaches and volunteers who work with them to support their training. 

FLB - PRODUCT INFORMATION

Freda Organic Tampons and Pads are made from pure organic cotton, with absorbent renewable wood pulp for absorbency, and packaged in biodegradable film. Freda pads and tampons are hypoallergenic, polyester and chemical-free, and kind to your skin and the environment. The pads are slim and the tampons are applicator-free, reducing landfill bulk without compromising comfort and confidence.

FabLittleBag’s period care disposal system encourages users to continue on a sustainable period care journey by allowing them to discreetly dispose of their used products in the bin, thus preventing blockages and river and sea pollution caused when period care is flushed. Fabbing also keeps the bins clean and odour-free. FabLittleBags are made from sugarcane waste, recycled materials and vegan glue and are individually dispensed from a uniquely designed dispenser that adheres to the cubicle wall. FLBs are easy to use, opaque for discretion, and seal closed for good hygiene so that users can change and dispose of their used products with confidence and complete the eco-friendly cycle of their period care.

WHAT SHOULD I GET FOR MY CLUB?

The package that works best for you will depend on the size of the Club, the number of cubicles, and the number of potential users, be it teams, visitors or that tournaments are held there. Have a think about what you can do with the resources you have now to get maximum impact. 

If you have a lot of coaches working with teenage girls, it might be an opportunity to raise awareness of period management and its impact on training. You could supply each of the coaches with the essential coaches bag that can be added to the kit bag, so players know that they can easily access the products they need. If you have minimum facilities in and around the clubhouse you could ensure that areas where women and girls change have dispensers in the cubicles in the changing rooms. Or maybe you have limited number on female teams but you have a lot of females visiting your clubhouse. If so, it might be worth considering investing in dispensers only, with a supply of FLB bags to ensure all your public toilets are female friendly.

Whether you want to fitout the coaches gear bags/first aid kits, fit out the changing rooms and/or fit out the public toilets around the clubhouse, you can get the appropriate products by signing up to the FLB website, to get discounts on all relevant products. You will also find downloadable resources for publication around venues.