Tullamore among venues as Leinster Rugby relaunches summer camps

Leinster Rugby has confirmed that its summer camps will relaunch later this month in 21 venues around the province.

Tullamore RFC will host a summer camp from Monday, July 27 to Friday, July 31. The Tullamore camp will cater for U-8, U-10 and U-12 players.

The camps were originally cancelled in June due to Covid-19 restrictions. But with restrictions easing nationally, Leinster Rugby and its host clubs are now delighted to offer five weeks of camps starting on Monday, July 20.

Booking your place early is advisable with limited numbers on each camp.

Due to Covid-19 and with the health and safety of paramount importance, there will be a number of changes to the camps from previous years and these are as follows:

*The camps will be held from 10am to 1pm over five days and a daily Covid-19 health sign-off will be required.

*To ensure compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, the camps will have fewer attendees, with a maximum number at each venue.

*The camps will be offered on a modified basis and there will be changes to the rugby activities previously offered.

*All camp activities will be held outdoors and apart from toilet facilities, there will be no indoor facilities available.

*There will be no visit from professional Leinster Rugby players.

Summer Camps Manager Ray McCabe said: “We are thrilled to be bringing the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Summer Camps to our clubs again. The last few months have been hugely challenging for everyone and there has been a lot of uncertainty, but it was important that we took the time to map out exactly what our camps offering would look like and what we could offer in a safe environment.

“It will be different but we hope to be able to offer just as much fun and we can’t wait now to get started."

With each of the 21 venues to be inspected prior to the camps starting, McCabe outlined some of the measures that are now in place to help allay any fears that parents or guardians might have.

“We have also set a limit on our numbers to help us adhere to social distancing guidelines at all times with a maximum of 16 kids per age group in our venues. That’s 48 kids in total in most venues per day or 32 in Energia Park and we will have a ratio of two coaches to each age group," he said.

“Every parent or guardian will also receive an information booklet prior to the camp starting with all the details and the new protocols outlined, but of course should anyone have any concerns they are free to contact us directly and we will do our very best to reassure them.”

To provide further certainty to participants, due to the developing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, Leinster Rugby is committed to reviewing its protocols on an ongoing basis in line with Government and HSE advice. Should a camp be cancelled due to new advice received, a full refund will be provided.

The Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Summer Camps are open to boys and girls aged six to 12 and are run by fully accredited IRFU coaches.

Participants will receive a Leinster Rugby goodie bag including an Adidas t-shirt and a Rhino rugby ball.

In total, Leinster Rugby will organise 25 camps with five camps taking place in Energia Park, Donnybrook.

Registration is now open at www.leinsterrugby.ie/tickets/summer-camps/