Mayo clubs involved in Give It A Try programme

Ninety clubs across the four provinces have been accepted to take part in the Canterbury Give It A Try programme in 2021, including the Mayo pair of Castlebar and Claremorris Colts.

The overall number represents a 34% increase in participating clubs since the last time a full Give It A Try Programme was run, with Covid-19 curtailing involvement in 2020.

It means more girls aged between eight and 14 than ever before will have the chance to learn how to play rugby in a fun environment. All clubs will start the eight-week programme between July 26 and August 2.

IRFU women’s development manager Amanda Greensmith says Give It A Try has been a key driver of continued growth in the game.

“We’re hugely excited to see a full roll out of Give It A Try in 2021,” she told IrishRugby.ie at the weekend. “Clubs have responded really well to meeting the needs of girls in their communities and this programme will form a big part of a summer of fun for everyone in rugby.

“Some of the clubs participating will be offering girls rugby for the first time while others are building it into their existing development pathway. It’s driving participation and membership, which is crucial for clubs’ sustainability.”

Ireland international Dorothy Wall said she has been really impressed how Canterbury Give It A Try is run in her native Fethard.

“For these girls to be having fun with their friends, for it to be inclusive and for them to be developing those skills at such a young age is going to be so important for their growth.

“The next international team that you’re going to see are going to have that skill. I think that’s so exciting for the future of women’s rugby in Ireland and just in general.”

Apart from Castlebar and Claremorris Colts, the Connacht clubs participating are Carrick-on-Shannon, Connemara, Corrib, Creggs, Galway Bay, Galway Corinthians, Galwegians, Loughrea, Oughterard and Tuam.