City council clarifies stance on tag rugby

DUBLIN City Council has insisted that tag rugby players must have a licence to play the popular sport in its parks on the Southside.

Following a call from the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to clarify the matter, the council has insisted that

“organised

? games played at both Bushy Park in Terenure and Herbert Park in Ballsbridge require a licence.

This comes as an increasing number of complaints are made to Dublin City Council regarding the growing number of people playing tag rugby at both parks.

Tag rugby has grown in popularity during the recession, as many young people have opted not to renew expensive gym memberships and annual subscriptions at sports clubs. It is estimated that up to 30,000 people now regularly play tag rugby in Ireland.

The sport is sometimes played in private rugby clubs but is more often played in public parks.

Cllr Michael O’Sullivan (Lab) told Southside People that he was contacted recently by a number of tag rugby players who were surprised when a park warden prevented a group of five of them from playing in Bushy Park in Terenure.

“If it is just a few people turning up in a park to play tag rugby or hurling or whatever it shouldn’t need a licence or pre clearance,

? he said.

In response to a written question Cllr O’Sullivan asked on the matter, city manager John Tierney acknowledged there had recently been a

“problem

? with large numbers of people using city council parks for tag rugby practice.

Karl Richardson, a spokesman for the IRFU, which represents some tag rugby players, urged the council to clarify its position on the matter.

He said there was confusion among its members as to what constituted an

“organised

? game.

“This has probably been an issue over the last 12 to 18 months where we have heard anecdotal evidence of groups not being allowed play tag rugby,

? he said.

“A few people throwing a ball around isn’t exactly an organised game. It would be good to have clarification regarding what is an organised game and what isn’t.

?

A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said:

“Any organised game would need a permit. When it comes to informal training or a kick-about there would be no set rule on the number of individuals.

“Usually there would be no problem but the park ranger will notify park users if he or she believes that excessive damage is being done to the park or that the activity is impinging on other park users. An alternative location will always be given if possible.

?

The managing director of the Irish Tag Rugby Association (ITRA) Peadar Niland, said: “We want people to be able to practice tag rugby.

“Dublin City Council has to maintain grass pitches in suitable condition and some type of a booking system makes sense. The tag rugby season is coming to an end now but we will happily work with them in spring 2013 to see how we can reach a compromise so that players can practice tag rugby in a way that works with the Dublin City Council maintenance schedule.”