A new innovative rugby programme for girls, supported by McDonald’s Mallow, and for boys and girls supported by Mallow RFC, delivered hundreds of fun rugby sessions over the course of the 2022/2023 school year in 15 primary schools and two secondary schools. As Anne Ronayne, McDonalds Mallow, stated: “Giving back is an essential part of the way we operate and McDonald’s Mallow is proud to support girls’ rugby in our local schools.” The programme, which is supported by Munster Rugby, provided fun rugby sessions for girls aged 6 to 16 years in the Convent Primary School, St. Mary’s Secondary School, and Davis College. It also delivered sessions to boys and girls in 14 other primary schools in and around Mallow. As Labhrás Hickey at Gaelscoil Thomáis Dáibhís in Mallow stated, the school was delighted to have Mallow Rugby Club involved in their physical education programme and every child in the school engaged in rugby drills and skills over a period of six weeks. Sessions were delivered by Maebh O’Riordan, Club Community Resource Officer, Munster Rugby, assisted by local volunteers. Colman Lane of Baltydaniel National School stated: “From our junior infants to sixth class, our students wholeheartedly enjoyed Maebh’s engaging sessions, which served as an exceptional introduction to the world of rugby”. The programme was structured to ensure that all the girls and boys learned skills and participated in non-contact games in a safe and enjoyable environment as well as learning about teamwork. Aislinn Ronayne of McDonald’s Mallow said: “The Girls Schools Rugby Programme provides an opportunity for girls to learn about rugby, develop skills, have fun, and get a good ‘run around’ for their physical and mental wellbeing”. More than 300 girls at secondary school level and approximately 1,100 girls in primary schools participated in the programme. Overall participation, including boys and girls in the 17 schools, was approximately 2,800 children. Mallow Rugby Club would like to thank McDonald’s Mallow and Munster Rugby for this support of the CCRO programme. Thanks also to the teachers in the 17 schools that participated in the sessions. Plans are already being developed for a CCRO programme in schools in the 2023/2024 school year and for more information contact Freddie at ftf21262@gmail.com