The annual North East Leinster Santa Blitz took place on Sunday December 4th at Balbriggan RFC. The event which is now in its sixth year saw almost 400 U7’s, U8’s and U9’s come to Balbriggan to take part in this rugby blitz. Teams from Ardee, Balbriggan, Boyne, Dundalk, Navan, Ratoath, Skerries and Virginia Rugby Clubs took part in this years Santa Blitz which was hugely successful from start to finish. At a blitz such as this, the emphasis is on having fun. The children all played three games, and they got to meet Santa and received a selection box. Coaches were encouraged to join in the fun by dressing up if they wished. Amongst the coaches this year, we had an elf from Balbriggan and two reindeer from Virginia!
Of course the main event of the day was when the children got to meet Santa. This year though, Santa wasn’t alone and had two helpers! We were delighted to have Garry Ringrose and Joey Carbery, come along to meet all the children. This made the children’s day (and their parents!) as they got to meet their rugby heroes. We greatly appreciate the time that the lads gave to all the children at the club on the day.
Thanks to Jacinta O’Rourke, Chairperson of the PR Committee for Domestic Rugby in Leinster and Eamonn O’Hare, Chairperson of the North East Leinster Branch, for joining us on the day. Thanks also to St John’s Ambulance and their volunteers for being on hand at such a big event. The annual blitz also raises funds for a charitable cause. The charitable beneficiary of this years fundraising efforts was the IRFU Charitable Trust. This year we raised just short of €500 for the IRFU Charitable Trust.
Much thanks must go to Eamon Darcy, Balbriggan RFC’s Mini’s Co-Ordinator who organised the event. Finally, thanks to all the helpers at the club who made sure that everything ran smoothly. An event like this simply could not take place without these volunteers.