Following in robbie henshaws footsteps

Athlone club Buccaneers RFC have been invited to play at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday, May 23, in the Aviva Mini Rugby Festival.

They will be one of 20 mini rugby teams from 240 clubs across the country who will get the opportunity to play where club hero, Robbie Henshaw, has excelled for his country.

The National Festival will be held in the home of Irish rugby, the Aviva Stadium, for the second time following a hugely successful Festival in 2014. The 20 U10 sides from all over the country will play against each other in a non-competitive and fun environment.

Ireland and Leinster star Luke Fitzgerald will be in attendance to give tips and advice to all the players and coaches. Each of the competitors will receive a Certificate of Participation signed by Irish Internationals Paul O’Connell, Rory Best and Jamie Heaslip.

Mark Russell, Aviva Sponsorship Manager, said; “Generally it’s the big international matches that grab the limelight at the stadium, but every so often we get to put on something like the Aviva Mini Rugby Festival. It gives every player that big match feeling, to experience what it is like to run on to the pitch and play where their heroes have played.”

Hendrik Kruger, IRFU Age Grade Manager added; “The lasting effects a day like this has on the players, the parents and the clubs are many fold. A memory such as playing at the Aviva Stadium will hopefully be the first stage of a glittering rugby career for many. It is also a great chance to play other teams from all over Ireland at this level.”