On Sunday last 12th February Virginia Rugby Football Club showcased their Youth volunteer coaching program to representatives from Cavan Sports Partnership, Ulster development coaches and Cavan GAA.
The scheme came about due to a lack of volunteers in rugby and to meet recommended player to coaches’ ratios. The volunteer coaches for this program came from Virginia’s successful under 17s team with players taking on leadership and coaching roles under the guidance of The Mini’s coaches/managers. Each of the Mini’s teams has two to three of the youths assigned to them. The volunteer coach’s consult with the manager’s and agree the skills required for the particular age group they are coaching. The volunteer coaches then plan the drills for the skills suitable for the age group they are assigned. All participants will receive a coaching seminar, first aid briefing during the program and be awarded a certificate of volunteering when successfully completed.
On training mornings the volunteers have an early meeting with the managers to discuss the planned drills, set the training areas up and then head out with their Mini’s team to commence the training session. At this stage the coaches will communicate their drills to the players, demonstrate the technical aspects of skills such as tackling, rucking, passing and team work. The mini’s players then perform the skills with advice and instruction to an acceptable and agreed standard from the youths. After the training both volunteers and managers complete a feedback and assessment forms to ensure high standards are achieved.
In last Sunday’s training session all mini’s age groups with youth volunteers in action were positively reviewed and applauded. The youth volunteers demonstrated good leadership and coaching techniques. The real success of this program can be gained from the manager’s approval and the enjoyable experience of both the youth volunteers and mini’s players alike. Managers Sean Doyle (u9s), John Fitzpatrick (u10s), Conor Walker and (u 11s) and Dave Warren (u12s) have all expressed positive opinions and a wholesale endorsement of this volunteer program.
The youths volunteers have rose to this challenge and have received plaudits from parents of mini’s players and all within the club. Three weeks ago these u17s volunteers played a very competitive and tough game against Portadown scoring a try in the last min to win the game. The next morning the same players came out sore and bruised to volunteer their time coaching the Mini’s teams. These players are a credit to their families, club and community. Volunteer coaches are the following. Dylan McAleer, Cillian Cahill, Oliver Lotscher, Shane McManus, Don Mullen, Ciaran Cooke, Liam Gordon, Padhraig McManus ,Killian Smith, Seamie Cunnigham, Tommy Whitly, Eoin O Connell, Jamie Rourke, Cillian Goldin and Jamie McDerrmott.
The Virginia Mini’s teams train and play every Sunday from September through to April. The teams range in age from under 9s to under 12s consisting of 80 plus players. All the teams have played competitive games enjoying more successes than defeats across North Leinster. Virginia RFC have recently started a Girls tag rugby team enrolling 20 new members ranging in age from 12 – 15.The girls are under the management of Leona McNally and Dessie Higgins and have already recorded numerous victories in their travels.
The players in all age groups including youth teams appear to form very strong bonds and friendships within the respectful sporting environment of Virginia Rugby Football Club. The commitment of the parents to encourage their children into sports is much admired and well respected within the club as they travel in from areas such as Oldcastle, Mount Nugent, Castlerahen, Crosserlough, Lavey, Killinkere, Bailieboro, Cootehill, Kingscourt, Mullagh.
As clubs go, Virginia Rugby Football Club is punching way above its weight having recorded wins against much bigger AIL clubs across Ulster, Leinster and Connaught this season. This can be partly attributed to the dedicated coaching and management input and also to the very talented crop of players of which Liam Gordon, Don Mullen from Under 17s have been selected to play for Ulster. Virginia presently field three successful youths teams at 13s, 15s and 17s involving 80 players. Every September see a new influx of talent largely down to a rolling development policy of primary schools coaching and positive word of mouth.
Virginia rugby club want to acknowledge and thank Cavan Sports Partnership and the Ulster Branch Rugby Union for their support. They also extend thanks and appreciation to local councillor Paddy McDonald and Ulster development coach Alistair Brown for their review and support last Sunday.
