Munster Rugby Paint New York Red

18th October 2023 By The Editor

The URC Trophy on display at Times Square in New York. James Higgins

Munster Rugby recently hosted their annual New York City Friends of Munster Fundraising Dinner at the New York Athletic Club.

The dinner forms part of a two-day Munster Rugby tour that helps drive supporter engagement and deepen ties with the Munster diaspora.

The sell-out event, with over three hundred guests, again proved hugely successful with supporters of the event enjoying an evening of entertainment with guest speakers, good company, and a live auction.

Every year the New York City Friends of Munster dinner fundraises for the community game in the province and helps fund key programmes across grassroots rugby.

Community participation initiatives, knowledge sharing, and growing the game are also a primary focus of Munster’s trip to the US with the Munter Rugby Development department hosting several training sessions with 100 minis and age-grade participants from Hoboken Primary School and Morris Rugby Club in New Jersey involved on this occasion.

Munster Rugby host training sessions in Hoboken and Morristown NJ. Photo Credit James Higgins.

Additionally, the province was delighted to share last season’s URC Championship success with supporters and the trophy accompanied Head Coach Graham Rowntree, Defence Coach Denis Leamy, and fullback Mike Haley across various locations in New York and New Jersey.

Munster Rugby host training sessions in Hoboken and Morristown NJ. Photo Credit James Higgins.

Since the dinner began in 2018 it has raised significant funds for Munster Rugby and has contributed to the following projects –

Club Community Rugby Officers (CCRO’s) – staff appointed to help clubs, schools, and communities develop the game of rugby across Munster.
Summer Camps and school tournaments – giving children the opportunity to learn and enhance their skills in a fun and safe environment.
Donation of much-needed resources – items such as equipment, jerseys, and kit are distributed to nominated clubs and teams.