Rodez 2008

For the third consecutive year Academy Rugby Football Club Maxi Section will be playing in the Rodez International Tournament in France.

Traditionally Academy mini rugby section has been made up from over 14 to 19 different local primary schools. Last season tag mini rugby for P3 was introduced and is proving very popular in its second season. In the current 2008-09 season Academy mini rugby has already had over 115 children enjoying mini rugby on a Saturday morning.

Over the years the tournament has continued to expand and now features teams from as far a field as South Africa and Australia.

This is a great honour for the boys to represent Ulster Rugby and play teams from France, Spain, U.K. and many other countries and regions.

Often some of the clubs have a strong history in playing at the highest level such as Biarittz, ASM Clermont, Toulouse, Stade Francais and Natal Sharks. This makes the honour even greater for Academy mini rugby section as they are the only team travelling from Northern Ireland.

Our French hosts are always very generous and supportive but the trip would not take place without the hard work from many parents in raising the funds to go and the generous funding towards the travel costs from Newtownabbey Borough Council.

Academy Mini Rugby sessions are held every Saturday morning 9:15 - 10:30 at BRA playing fields Roughfort - www.academyrfc.co.uk


MR P J INGRAM 25th September 2008