THE hard work behind the scenes paid off for Skibbereen RFC, as they unveiled their new floodlights in their opening round of the Junior League Division 1 with Bandon RFC, a game which finished in a draw, 18-18.
Skibbereen RFC committee member Walter Young explained the reasoning for the floodlights and the ways it will benefit the club going forward.
‘It’s something that’s taken a few years and a lot of work behind the scenes. We are very grateful for the capital sports development grant that came from the National Lottery that helped fund this development. We’re very thankful to those involved for the funding that helps clubs like ourselves flourish with these new additions,’ Young explained.
Since the implementation of the floodlights, Skibbereen now have a new main pitch. ‘We have these floodlights now set up by the “clubhouse” pitch which is the one closest to the roadside as you come into Skibbereen. Originally this used to be our training area and the “showgrounds” was the main pitch but the plan was always to try and get lights set up there and make that into our main playing pitch.’
Walter describes how the dynamic of junior rugby has changed and how they’re looking to accommodate their players this season and going forward: ‘The whole perspective of rugby has changed recently we know that a lot of our players would prefer to play on a Saturday evening more so than a Sunday afternoon that gives them more time to enjoy themselves socially on the weekend and makes life easier for them either getting back to work or college. If they come home on a Friday evening they potentially train which means they don’t get to socialise the Saturday night because they have a match on Sunday – so we tried to find ways to help the players.’
This project was spearheaded by Alan Dodd who was the guest of honour for the opening of the lights.
‘He was one of the main drivers as regards to getting the grants and the leases to complete this project,’ said Walter.
‘In our club, we’re thankful to have a lot of volunteers who can be seen working with the kids standing by the pitches, and helping out that way but there’s also a lot of volunteers who do great work behind the scenes. People who do a lot of work that doesn’t get noticed but it is very valuable to the club.’
With this project now wrapped up, it’s on to the next task at hand.
‘The committee here at Skibbereen Rugby Club are always planning different developments and looking for ways to improve. No sooner will this project be put to bed that another one will start up again as you’re always trying to develop your facilities and make things more attractive to players and supporters. And at the same time making it more social as well.’
