City of Derry’s Rugby Minis answer Spring Carnival’s call

As Ireland’s rugby players bid to win back to back Six Nations titles against Scotland this weekend, the Mini Rugby players of City of Derry Rugby Club will make their own little piece of history at the city’s St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival celebrations.

Over 100 youngsters take part in the club’s Mini Rugby sessions every Saturday morning and many of them will stand shoulder to shoulder to represent the club for the first time in Derry’s parade that leaves Bishop Street at 3pm this Sunday March 17th.

Garreth Harvey is the Mini Rugby Convener at the Judge’s Road outfit and he says the club, like the international team, are on a high at present with record numbers of young people getting involved.

“Mini Rugby is for kids from P3 up to Year 8 and the aim is to offer a fun introduction to the sport while developing the children in a fun, safe and secure environment,” he explained.

“As well as training, we also play games against other clubs here such as Strabane, Inishowen and Omagh.

“We don’t keep score on the games, the emphasis is on participation, improving fitness and realising sporting potential.”

Ireland’s Grand Slam success and heroics in the World Cup in France last year have brought interest in the sport to a new level, bringing it to new areas and communities all over the island.

While there has always been a thriving set up at Judge’s Road, the club are now seeing the impact of Andy Farrell’s men’s heroics at grass roots level.

“The Six Nations has a mass appeal and the games are free to air on terrestrial television so it’s very accessible,” Garreth continued.

SPRING FESTIVAL FOR CITY OF DERRY MINIS. . . .City of Derry Mini Rugby Players who will be taking part in this year's Annual St. Patrick's Day Spring Carnival Parade in the city. Included are coaches Stacey-Lea Kennedy and Mark Walker.

“We definitely saw new fans coming to the sport during the World Cup and new kids coming to the club and wanting to experience it.

“More and more schools are coaching it as well and fielding teams and that has a positive knock on effect for the club.

“The numbers we are experiencing now are remarkable, there are more than 100 boys and girls involved with the Minis, we have great numbers in our youth teams for both boys and girls.

“On top of that our boys Under 14 team are top of their league and we are still fielding men’s and women’s senior teams every week.

“The place is full of activity and we have a lot of volunteers doing great work behind the scenes to make that happen.

“We have people from all backgrounds and places, I’m a Lurgan man myself and was made to feel so welcome to the club, it’s a great way to meet people, so if you ever wanted to get involved in any capacity, there are lots of ways to do so.”

The club were invited by the North West Carnival Initiative to take part in the parade and they have a few surprises up their sleeves for the thousands of people in attendance.

RUGBY MINIS TO PARADE AT SPRING FESTIVAL. . . .Some of the City of Derry Mini Rugby Players who will be taking part in this year's Annual St. Patrick's Day Spring Carnival Parade in the city.

“The kids are really excited to parade in front of a huge audience and we’re working with the carnival initiative on some inflatable props and costumes.

“Our green club gear is the ideal colour for St Patrick’s Day and the city’s Walter the Skeleton features on our club crest and he’ll be part of our display.”

“You’ll probably hear us before you see us and we might have a well known world rugby performance to perform on the day.”

City of Derry RFC Minis welcome new members, for further information contact Garreth Harvey on 07834572981.

Derry city centre will come alive this St Patrick’s Day as Derry City and Strabane District Council host an action packed programme of music, dance, food and folklore for its Spring Carnival celebrations.

The ‘Out of the Darkness Into the Light’ themed event will celebrate the arrival of spring in all its colourful splendour with entertainment and activity planned for Guildhall Square, the Peace Garden and the Craft Village.

The centrepiece event will once again be the North West Carnival Initiative’s renound Spring Carnival Parade which will feature flamboyant performances from local dance groups, sports clubs and community organisations.

The parade through the city centre starts at Bishop Street at 3pm but entertainment is planned all over the city centre from 1pm to 6pm.

Access the programme now at derrystrabane.com/ springcarnival and come and join us on Sunday March 17th for a day of music, dance and folklore.