Tullamore trip for Wicklow....
And silent sidelines hits Ashtown
WICKLOW RFC’s U-10s travelled to Tullamore RFC on Saturday morning to take part in the Leinster Aviva Mini Rugby Festival. Hundreds of U-10s representing clubs from all over Leinster converged on the Midlands club for a fantastic feast of rugby in mostly dry conditions.
The Wicklow lads took on Wexford Wanderers, Naas RFC, St Brigid’s RFC and old rivals Gorey RFC in four very closely contested matches which tested the boys’ skills and fitness.
They did their club jerseys proud as they showed their grit and determination with great displays of running rugby and teamwork. There were no easy games and the team had to work hard for every try putting in really strong performances.
They revelled in the great matches, which were all played in great sporting spirit, and the mud.
Meanwhile back in Wicklow on Sunday morning an eerie silence hung over Ashtown Lane.
The cause turned out to be nothing more sinister than a trial of the IRFU’s ‘silent sideline’ initiative for the U-11s and U-12s who welcomed teams from St Brigid’s and Seapoint respectively.
The idea behind silent sidelines is to allow players to play their own game, to make decisions for themselves and to promote positive sideline behaviour encouraging those on the sideline to give their approval through clapping rather than shouting.
The environment allowed players to think for themselves and aims to aid their long-term development. Whilst parents and coaches, who were given lollipops to help keep them quiet, found the sidelines somewhat like ‘a silent movie’ the players prospered and enjoyed being able to play in a different atmosphere where they had to read the game and make up their own minds.
The U-11s fielded two teams against two visiting teams from St Brigid’s. Both served up some entertaining contests and showed their development as players and their grasp of the game which entered a new level without prompting from their coaches.
The U-12s took on Seapoint in a full 15-a-side game. This was only the third time the Wicklow lads had played the full pitch but they showed that their years of training had paid off and they delighted their silent parents and coaches with their skills and knowledge of the game. As the game progressed the only adult voice to be heard was the referee’s as the boys took over the communication to score some excellent team tries.
Minis train on Sunday mornings and new players are always welcome. See www.wicklowrfc.com or www.facebook.com/WicklowRFC for more details. All games at 7pm
Under 15 Hurling Division 1 - Glenealy v Avondale/Parnells (Ref John Keenan) (changed to Thursday due to clash of games in Glenealy)
Friday, April 13
Under-11 Football - Barndarrig V Shillelagh 7.00pm (Ref TBC)
Saturday, April 14
Under 14 A Hurling Feile Venue: Kiltegan 11.00am (Referees: Chris Canavan, Liam Keenan Jnr) - Arklow Rock Parnells, Glenealy, Carnew Emmets, Michael Dwyers Under 14 B Hurling Feile Venue Bray Emmets 12.15pm (Referees: Eugene Doherty, Mick Owens) - St Patricks, Northern Gaels, Luke O’Tooles, Bray Emmets
Sunday, April 15
Under 14 Hurling A and B Féile Finals