CLONTARF Rugby Club has set up a new team this season, especially for local children, aged 6-14, with intellectual additional needs.
New players are continually joining Clontarf Bulls as the good news spreads across the community.
Many of the children involved have challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, visual or hearing impairments, or other learning needs.
Having seen their brothers and sisters play rugby, these boys and girls can now line out on a team of their own.
Clontarf Bulls is being led by a group of rugby coaches and volunteers with a particular interest in promoting the abilities of these children and rightfully including them in Clontarf Rugby.
The coaching group draws on active players, ex-players, teachers, SNAs, and academics in the fields of people with special needs.
Sunday mornings on the new all-weather pitch in Clontarf consist of drills, games and training that are pre-planned and aimed at being easy to follow and enjoyable for players and coaches. Each participant is provided with one-to-one coaching throughout the session.
It is a positive, fun and safe environment, whereby the children are given maximum encouragement, with parents looking on.
Improvements have been noticed in the players as the weeks go on including increased confidence, independence, spatial awareness, ball handling skills, fine and gross motor skills, listening skills, ability to take instruction, fitness, increased fun in the fresh air, friendships between children and also parents, and of course an appreciation of the game of rugby.
Clontarf, Leinster and Ireland international Joey Carbery has taken on the role of ambassador for the Clontarf Bulls and attended a recent training session to meet and greet the players.
“Clontarf Bulls is a fantastic initiative that has been set up in Clontarf Rugby Club,” said Carberry.
“Seeing how much excitement and joy the players get down here on a Sunday morning, being part of a team, learning lots of new skills and getting some great exercise is just really positive and I’m looking forward to seeing how the
players all develop over the coming season.”
Nolan’s Supermarket in Clontarf is sponsoring the team and provided ‘Clontarf Bulls’ jackets to all of the players.
Parents interested in getting their child with intellectual needs involved with the Clontarf Bulls should contact the club office on 01-8336214 or email crfc@indigo.ie for further information.
