A Tipperary rugby club is reaching for new heights with the backing of the business community

As Clonmel Rugby Club look forward with great optimism to the years ahead it has taken time out to acknowledge the magnificent the support it receives from the business community at a social function at the Talbot Hotel.

That tremendous backing empowers Clonmel Rugby Club to drive on with ambitious plans to develop their grounds, grow the academy and compete at the highest level.
To that end they held an inaugural business lunch at the Talbot Hotel, Clonmel to show their appreciation to their valued sponsors.

It was a proud day for the club, one of the oldest in the country and unique in that it is only one of two clubs in the country with their own male choir, as they acknowledged the crucial role sponsorship plays in their development.
President Johnny Sheehan said it was an occasion when all the friends of the club could gather together to acknowledge their ongoing success and to thank volunteers and sponsors who continue to support their endeavours.
Chairman Paddy O’Donnell was thrilled to welcome the major sponsorship for the academy that came on board during the year through Camida.

“The youths are the foundation of the club. The help we are now receiving from Camida is transformative,” he said.
The chairman said the academy would be further strengthened by the Camida backing of the academy.
“The club is in a very healthy position at the moment thanks to our sponsors. We are in a very tough league and we have to keep building from the ground up and keep working hard to make the progress we want to make,” said the Chairman.

PRO Schira Lane said that it was an occasion to reflect on the enormous success of the club and to thank all those who contributed in any way over the years.
“We are grateful to all of our sponsors and this Camida sponsorship for the academy will allow us go up another level. We are delighted that there are past and present members here today to celebrate with us. We have a long history in the town and this is a wonderful opportunity for the club,” said the PRO.
“We have to keep investing in the club. With the senior squad we have brought in Munster coaching expertise and we have upgraded our gym facilities for younger players as part of the development of the academy,” said the PRO.

She explained that the funding from Camida had enabled the club to put a quality infrastructure in place so that underage players get the best possible training,”said Schira Lane.

“We have about 200 mini members and there are another 200 from U/13 to U/18 and a half. With the help of Camida we have brought in strength and conditioning coach Aldat Fronek and that will bring these age groups up another notch. This move together with the gym upgrade is a big step forward for the club,” said Shira Lane.
Club veteran Bill O’Gorman said that last year was a watershed for the club. The average age of the senior team was 20 and they did very well to stay in the senior division as they were such a young squad .
It was crucial, he said, to ensure that the good work being done in the club at underage was carried on and enhanced and the whole club would benefit in the years ahead as a result.

He said that the club had streamlined the coaching which was more professional.
One of the areas the club are keen to see development is catering for rugby for ladies.
“We had a good ladies club twenty years ago and we want to get back to that,” said Paddy O’Donnell,Chairman.
David Anchell, Camida Managing Director, whose company came on board this year with a significant sponsorship that provides a massive boost to underage rugby in the club, said he was delighted that Camida was in partnership with Clonmel Rugby Club.

He said that rugby was increasingly popular and that sport was so beneficial to the physical and mental health well being of young people.
“We want to support local events and organisations that are doing so much good work in the community,” said David Anchell.
The Camida Managing Director said he was excited by the partnership with Clonmel Rugby Club as it was a dynamic club that brought so much to the town of Clonmel.

Schira Lane,PRO said the club was a very welcoming one. It was a diverse environment and they would welcome new members and new volunteers who wanted to become part of their community.
“It is a community and there is great community spirit. We encourage our young players to go and watch the seniors play. We are all in this together,” she said.