Munster Rugby v Harlequins Match Programme

CLONAKILTY
RFC
“PUTTING INCLUSIVITY AT
THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO”
“We wanted to put inclusivity at the heart of
what we do.” These are the words of Clonakilty
RFC Director of Rugby Neville Burton as he
begins to explain the excellent work which the
West Cork club are doing in reaching out to
marginalised groups in the area.
On this particular wet and blustery Saturday
morning, there is a steady stream of parents
dropping off their children for the day’s first
of two minis training sessions. The minis
programme in the club has proved so popular
that they have had to split the morning into
two sessions to accommodate the 330 children
who are involved. Despite many of the club’s
facilities, including the popular coffee shop,
remaining closed due to the current government
restrictions, the grounds of the club are a hive
of activity and excitement is in the air as the
children prepare to get their hands on a ball,
albeit a slippery one.
Of this excited and giddy group are nine
enthusiastic children from the Clonakilty Lodge
Direct Provision Centre: Francesco, Joseph,
Jamal, Wayne, Cyril, Keith, Lulu, Rihanna
and Mimi. Many of these children are new to
the sport and their participation is the result
of a growing relationship between the club’s
Community Engagement Officers and Service
Coordinator for Clonakilty Friends of Asylum
Seekers, Kitty Sisson.
“We’ve been getting it off the ground for the
last three weeks and they’ve been here, and
they’ve been enjoying themselves. It’s been
building on an existing relationship that’s been
happening on an ad-hoc basis for the last few
years. Over the last few months, in particular
this year with COVID, has really shown the
spotlight on Direct Provision and children are
living in one room. In family groups, they’ve got
35 bedrooms, they’ve got nearly 100 residents
and some of the kids here have siblings, two
or three siblings, and it’s a great opportunity to
get out and integrate with their peers in a very
natural way, get the exercise in, really. It’s really
important.”
Community Engagement Officer Courtney
Canning who alongside Sinead Burton is
spearheading this initiative says that from a
social and youth development perspective,
getting these nine children involved on a weekly
basis is hugely beneficial.
“I suppose sport and, in this case, rugby, is
incredibly conducive to creating an atmosphere
that promotes positive youth development,”
Canning says.
“So, the kids that are coming now, socially it’s
amazing for them. They’re making friends and I
suppose most importantly they’re having fun.
Every young kid deserves the right to play with
36 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE