Southside Garda Diversion Project

The Gardaí in conjunction with Munster Rugby, FAI and Limerick Regeneration have recently completed a Garda Diversion project for youngsters in the Southside of the City.

The aim of the project was to take children out of disadvantaged areas and provide them with the opportunity to take part in structured and enjoyable training sessions in sport. The project also focussed on breaking down barriers between the relationship of Gardaí in the area and local children.

This programme has been up and running for the last seven months from October 2010 to early May 2011 and was greatly supported by Supt. John Scanlon of Roxboro Garda Station. Niamh Briggs of the Gardaí and current Munster and Irish International player played a huge part in leading the project.

Munster Rugby’s Limerick Regeneration Community Rugby Officers Andy Brace and Ross Callaghan have been delighted with the success of the project, not only in terms of building relationships between the children and gardaí, but also by introducing the kids to structured and organised training sessions.

The beginning of the project saw soccer as very much the favourite sport of the two, however, post Christmas the shift made a dramatic turn to rugby. Many of the kids were taking up rugby for the first time and under the guidance of the coaches they learned the basics and fundamentals of the game.

Recently the children were rewarded with a trip to to Thomond Park to witness the Magner’s Munster versus Connacht fixture. During the year they also paid a visit to the Aviva Stadium where they watched Ireland play Wales in the soccer Four Nations Cup.

On the final day of the project Munster players Felix Jones and Niall Ronan took time to make a special visit to programme participants and were delighted to present awards and answer any questions the young players had to throw at them.

Munster Rugby would like thank Garryowen F.C. for their continuous support of this project and the use of their facilities throughout the six month programme.

For more information on the Garda Diversion Porject please email Munster Rugby’s Community Rugby Officer
Andy Brace at andrewbrace@munsterrugby.ie

Felix Jones and Niall Ronan answer questions from the young players of the Garda Diversion Project