Munster Rugby v Cardiff Blues Match Programme

RUGBY DEVELOPMENT
NEWS
Photo: Irish Rugby
Referee Joy Neville in action
IRFU COUNCIL PUBLISH
RESOURCE BOOKLET
#MunsterStartsHere
Since their formation in 2017, the IRFU Youth
Council have focused on dropout and retention
in youth rugby with a view to identifying reasons
and finding solutions to address the issue.
CCRO INDUCTION DAY
Munster Rugby recently held induction days for
this season’s Club & Community Rugby Officers
(CCROs).
NEW REFEREE COURSE
A series of peer-to-peer consultations were
conducted with young people in rugby
across the four provinces, culminating in the
publication of the Club Resource Booklet.
In her foreword to the booklet, Meadhbh Lewis,
Chairperson IRFU Youth Council said:
Sixteen CCROs will be working with clubs and
schools across the province over the next eight
months, adhering to government guidelines,
and introducing rugby into the school through
PE classes and helping to link the schools with
their local clubs.
The search for new referees is underway across the
province and the next course for new members of
the Munster Association of Referees has been set for
Saturday, October 31.
The course will be held online and you can register by
emailing chris.harrington@irfu.ie.
Rugby referees have the best seat in the house, and
if keeping fit (referees run six miles in an 80 minute
match), travelling, taking part in a lively social scene
or getting an adrenaline rush is your idea of a great
pastime, rugby refereeing could be for you.
As well as the obvious benefits, a referee’s constant
study of the game enriches the enjoyment of this
lifetime sport.
If you’re interested in taking the next steps and want
to join the referee pathway, please register your
interest with Munster Referee Development Manager
Chris Harrington.
New Referees Course
Date | Saturday 31 October
Register | Email: chris.harrington@irfu.ie
“We want this booklet to show clubs how
important it is to reach out to their young
members and connect with them. Our longterm
focus is to train club CWO’s to deliver
these consultations with their players to allow
for a constant improvement of the experience
delivered to players. Clubs who do so, will
empower our sport to evolve with the changing
needs of our society and our young people.
“The Youth Council have been trained based
on guidelines from the Department of Children
and Youth Affairs and are always contactable
for clubs who would like more guidance
on consulting with their youth players –
youthcouncil@irfu.ie.”
Due to the numbers involved, two induction
days were held - at Thomond Park and Irish
Independent Park - to adhere to Government
guidelines.
Munster Rugby Participation Programme Coordinator
Ray Gadsden said: “Their role is
to go into national and secondary schools
and introduce rugby as part of their Physical
Education timetable.
“They introduce a lot of running, moving and
passing games. They touch on physical literacy.
Their main role is to give them a positive
experience and a love of the game.
“The role is vitally important – they are the first
link between the schools and the clubs.”
30 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
MUNSTER v CARDIFF BLUES | 26.10.20 | THOMOND PARK
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