For The Love of The Club raises over €30,000 for club and community rugby

Connacht Rugby's For The Love of The Club initiative has successfully raised over €30,000 for club and community rugby in the province.

The fundraiser took the form of a virtual run and/or walk between March 17 and 24, with participants paying a registration fee of €10 and having the option to donate more if they wished.

Funds donated went to the club of each participant's choice or, if the person was unaffiliated, was split evenly between the 26 affiliate clubs of the province.

More than 2,000 people took part in 11 countries and 25 Irish counties in support of the initiative, logging the time it took them to complete their run or walk on the myrunresults.com website.

The domestic rugby manager at Connacht Rugby, Joe Gorham, thanked all participants and club volunteers who organised their respective clubs’ social media campaigns. The event, he added, showed the important role local rugby clubs play within their communities, and he labelled it a 'tremendous success' for rugby clubs in Connacht.

“It has generated a huge interest not just province-wide but indeed worldwide,” he commented. “The fun and enjoyment harnessed by the event within our clubs has been a joy to behold. However, its greatest achievement has been the re-energising of our clubs within their respective communities.

“A huge thank you to all participants from all at Connacht Club & Community. Your entry fee and donations will make a massive difference to your local rugby club in these unprecedented times.”

Connacht Rugby's partners, Bank of Ireland, sponsored €5,000 worth of Rhino Rugby equipment for the club whose social media campaigns went the extra mile, with the winner is to be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, Connacht Rugby senior men's team head coach, Andy Friend, has also offered his services for a virtual training session with the club whose participants uploaded the funniest and most engaging videos or photos to social media.