Over the last three years Donegal has been leading the way in the growth of rugby at club and schools level in Ulster. The DCRP from 2007 to current has produced some substantial results in growing the game in Donegal. These include over 160 new qualified coaches, an increase of 9 to 20 secondary schools playing high school rugby, Girls only mini structures, girls contact secondary school rugby and most notably the establishment of two new clubs in Tir Chonaill RFC and Finn Valley RFC.
Due to this success the IRFU Ulster Branch are supporting an extension of the project for another 3 years until the end of the 2013 season. DCRP Chairman Graeme Cattermole was keen to see the continuation of the project so that the last 3 years can be built upon.
Change in Staffing
The next 3 years also sees a change in the staffing structures as part of the transition into the mainstream Ulster Branch structures. The Donegal Project Leader position is being replaced by the West Senior Community Rugby Officer (SCRO). This position started in April with the appointment of Darren Mc Guigan from Omagh. Darren has been with the Ulster Branch since 2001 working in various roles aimed at the development of grass roots rugby. During this time Darren has also supported several programmes in Donegal which will surely help with the challenges of his new role. Along with Darren will be 2 Community Rugby Officers who will be working exclusively in Donegal following continued funding from the six rugby clubs and the IRFU. The CRO’s will be based in North and South Donegal and employed through Peace III and IRFU/Club funding on a seasonal basis.
With the change in structure, also comes the departure of current Project Leader, Jonathan Llewhellin. Jonathan has been based in Donegal since January 2003 overseeing the growth of the game for the IRFU. During this period there have been substantial increases in all areas of the community game from club and school rugby right through to new player pathways soon to be introduced. The success in Donegal highlights the still untapped sources for the game of Rugby in Ulster and Ireland, something that Ulster Rugby’s is keen to support during the next phase of the Donegal Project.
To Visit The Donegal Community Rugby Website – CLICK HERE
