The schools rugby season is well under way in Leinster with both senior and junior cups edging towards the quarter final stages. There is also another exciting brand of schools rugby on the horizon however, in the shape of The Umbrella Under 17s Rugby Sevens Tournament.
The tournament itself will be taking place on Saturday 24th March in Terenure College and promises to be a hugely enjoyable occasion.
This is a tournament with a twist however, as not only will the participants enjoy finishing off their season by playing one of the most exciting brands of rugby and enhancing all the skills used in the 15-a-side game, but it will also help orphaned and trafficked children in Nepal, one of the world’s poorest countries.
The Umbrella 7s will be supporting the work of The Umbrella Foundation Nepal, an Irish charity which has been working with orphaned, trafficked and destitute children since 2005.
With this competition, the foundation sees Irish youths helping to raise vital funds and awareness for children who, but for Umbrella, would be living in unbearable conditions.
This tournament has been fully endorsed by the Leinster Schools Committee and by Jamie Heaslip, The Umbrella Foundation’s Patron, who has seen firsthand the work Umbrella are doing in Nepal.
Speaking about the tournament, Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said “The Umbrella 7’s is a great way for young people to enhance their rugby skills”.
How will it work then?
· Squads will consist of a maximum of 12 players, 7 on the field plus 5 substitutes.
· Matches are 7 minutes a half, and each team will play a minimum of 3 pool matches
· All participants must be eligible to play at U.17s level, i.e. anyone who played JCT last year or is 16 on Jan 1st 2012
· The competition will be graded, ensuring that, as much as possible, teams of similar ability will be grouped together
· All schools associated with Leinster Rugby will be eligible to take part
· Each team should raise a minimum of €25 per participant. As overheads are at a minimum, the vast majority of funds received will go directly to Nepal.
It looks set to be a great day out for all the family with food tents and a few rugby related carnival type activities all on the agenda.
Schools such as Blackrock, CUS, Kilkenny, Roscrea, St. Michael’s, Terenure and Wesley have already conformed their attendance at the competition, with the majority of the other rugby playing schools in Leinster expected to follow.
For more information visit www.Umbrella7s.ie or the Umbrella 7s Facebook page