As we move into April, we reflect on another fantastic month at Portarlington Rugby Club. From showcasing our incredible female players during Women in Sport Week to hosting exciting matches and events, the club continues to thrive. A huge thank you to all our players, coaches, volunteers and supporters who make it all possible.

Women in Sport Week:
We proudly celebrated Women in Sport Week by highlighting our fantastic girls’ teams, from minis to seniors. Our players shared why they love rugby and it was inspiring to see their passion for the game. The future of women’s rugby at Portarlington is bright, and we can’t wait to see these talented players continue to develop.

Towns Cup: Second Round:
We hosted Boyne RFC in the second round of the Towns Cup. Although the result didn’t go our way, our senior men played with heart and determination. It was a great day at the club, with plenty of support from the sidelines. Well done to the lads for a fantastic performance.

North Midlands Minis Girls Festival:
Portarlington RFC was proud to host a North Midlands Minis Girls Festival, with a brilliant turnout. Seeing our young girls get well deserved game time was fantastic and we hope to continue this momentum into next season.

CCRO Update:
Our CCRO has started a new coaching block and is continuing to grow rugby in local schools. We’re delighted to welcome St. Patrick’s Boys National School to the program, expanding our reach and introducing more young players to the game. It’s fantastic to see rugby developing in new schools, and we look forward to seeing the benefits of this growth in the club.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
Our U12 girls represented the club with pride as they walked in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. They did a fantastic job showing off the spirit of Portarlington Rugby Club. Well done, girls!

Bravehearts & Port Eagles Day Out:
Our Bravehearts and Port Eagles teams enjoyed a special day out at Spin City. With reduced flashing lights and music, it was an inclusive and fun filled experience. A big thank you to Spin City for their generosity and for supporting our community.

Match Floodlights Update:
The committee is finalising quotes for new match floodlights, with the goal of starting installation over the May Bank Holiday weekend. This will be a fantastic addition to our club facilities.

21 years of women’s rugby in Portarlington:
This year marks a very special milestone: 21 years of women’s rugby at Portarlington RFC. To celebrate, we’ve set up a committee to plan a night to remember on April 5th. On the night, we’ll not only be celebrating the incredible growth and success of women’s rugby at the club, but we’ll also take some time to reflect and share stories. These memories will be recorded as a tribute to the legend Andy Broughan, who has now spent five years in hospital. We’d love everyone to join us to mark this occasion, support women’s rugby, and be there together for Andy. Save the date, it’s going to be a really special evening.

Minis, Youths & Seniors Update
* Minis: As the season wraps up, all minis teams have finished on a high note, with a great month of blitzes to close out a brilliant season.
* Youths: Our youth teams are finishing up and have shown incredible progress this season, improving with every match. Well done to all players and coaches!
* Seniors: Both our senior men’s and women’s teams have finished their season and are looking forward to coming back stronger next year.

Up coming events
Senior Awards
Saturday, April 12
Over 35s match against Newry and senior awards post match

Youth Awards
Saturday, April 19th
We will have presentations for our U13s, U15s, U16s and U18s

21 Years of Women’s Rugby Celebration
Friday, April 5th
Everyone welcome. Pop it in your calendar!

As we approach the final stretch of the season, it’s great to see how much our teams have achieved. Whether on the pitch, in the community or cheering from the stands, the club spirit is stronger than ever. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to another fantastic month. We look forward to what’s ahead!

See you at the club!

Yours Truly,
The Executive Committee