Waterpark RFC girls make history at the Aviva

The Waterpark U-12 girls rugby team recently took to the hallowed turf of Dublin's Aviva Stadium for the annual Aviva Minis rugby blitz, marking another significant moment in the club’s history.

The event saw girls from Waterpark Minis Group play against teams from across Ireland in a thrilling display of talent and determination.

The season started out back in October for the girls when they attended the Munster Provisional Blitz in Dungarvan playing teams from across Munster. The team were then lucky enough to be selected to play in the Aviva National Girls blitz in Edenderry where they played Dundalk RFC, Virgina RFC, Edenderry RFC and Portumna RFC. The pinnacle of the Aviva Minis Blitz series is where only five girls teams from all over Ireland are drawn to play at the main event in the Aviva Stadium.

Under the watchful eyes of family, friends and rugby enthusiasts, the girls teams played on the same field where Irish rugby legends have made history. The excitement was palpable as the teams displayed their speed, agility and teamwork, captivating the audience with their passion for the sport.

Speaking about the significance of the event, Kate McGrath, the coach of girls rugby team, expressed her pride in the players and emphasised the importance of the girls playing at the Aviva Stadium "This is a momentous occasion for our girls. Playing in the Aviva Stadium is a dream come true for many of them. It shows that girls rugby is growing and I could only dream of this opportunity as a player and it has become a reality for all those girls today," said McGrath.

The event is not about competition but it’s about camaraderie and sportsmanship. The girls exchanged handshakes, high-fives and smiles throughout the day, forging friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

For the players, stepping onto the pitch of the Aviva Stadium was a surreal experience. "It was brilliant to play at the Aviva Stadium with my friends. We even got to see the dressing rooms and the six nations trophy, it was a brilliant day," said Robyn Strappe, a player from U-12s team.

The rugby blitz at the Aviva Stadium was a testament to the growing popularity of girls rugby in Ireland and the dedication of coaches and players alike. Events like these not only provide opportunities for young athletes to showcase their talent but also inspire the next generation of female rugby stars.

Waterpark are launching their Girls “Give it a Try” rugby programme as part of the IRFU nationwide rugby taster programme where girls born in 2009–2016 come down to the club to get an introduction to rugby over an eight-week taster programme.

Speaking about the Girls Give it a Try Programme, Mark Keller, the Waterpark Minis Coordinator, said “it’s a great way for girls to get that introduction into rugby. The programme consists of fun rugby sessions aims at teaching the girls the basics of rugby over the eight weeks. It was brilliant to see the U-12s girls play in the Aviva as the majority of them would have participated in the Give it a Try programme over the last number of years.” Waterpark Rugby Club is located just behind UHW Hospital and for any enquires can be via our social pages or email admin@waterparkrfc.com.