Ireland rugby legend, Paul O’Connell was in Laois recently, giving pupils a once in a lifetime event to train with the ALDI Play Rugby ambassador.
Scoil Tigearnach Naofa, Cullohill National School was the lucky school in question, with a fantastic day of rugby enjoyed by all the the rural school.
Last month, ALDI invited children across Ireland to pick up a leaflet in store and colour in a picture of Kevin the Carrot and his family to be in with a chance of winning an exclusive ALDI Play Rugby training session with former Ireland captain and current senior team coach, Paul O’Connell for their school.
Kyle Whelan, 10, a Fourth-Class student in Scoil Tigearnach Naofa, Cullohill was selected as the lucky winner, scoring the overall prize for him and his classmates.
O’Connell arrived to lead a training session for the 112 students accompanied by Irish rugby international and ALDI Play Rugby ambassador, Linda Djougang.
The pair put the students through their paces, teaching them new skills and sharing wisdom they can take with them into the years ahead.
“It’s always a joy to meet with the rugby stars of tomorrow and see up close the positive impact ALDI Play Rugby is having on boys and girls across Ireland,” O’Connell said.
“Here in Cullahill, there was an awful lot of talent on display, and it was an absolute pleasure to meet with the students and their teachers.
“ALDI’s continued support of grassroots rugby as well as its commitment to instilling healthy habits in our kids is to be welcomed and I am proud to be a part of it.”
The event took place following another successful season for ALDI Play Rugby, a non-contact primary school rugby programme, developed by the IRFU and supported by ALDI.
It offers primary school students a safe and fun introduction to rugby and aims to encourage children to get active, participate in regular exercise and eat healthily.
As part of the programme, schools are offered access to invaluable resources including sessions with Community Rugby Officers, online coaching resources and free coaching equipment.
To date, hundreds of thousands of boys and girls from across Ireland have participated in the programme with more than 126,000 students from 724 schools taking part last year.
ALDI has proudly partnered with the IRFU since 2016. It recently extended its partnership with the IRFU for another four years, which will see it continue as Official Fresh Food Partner until 2028.
ALDI will continue to offer meaningful investment and support to ALDI Play Rugby, ensuring that children all over Ireland are given the opportunity to get involved in rugby, meet their heroes and learn healthy nutritional habits.
For more information on ALDI Play Rugby and how your school can get involved, please visit: Irish Rugby or Aldi Play Rugby.
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