The annual IRI Easter Courses are due to launch this WEEK! Keep your eyes firmly fixed to this website or our facebook page to get dates and of course BOOK!
Bring on 2012!
Wishing Happy New year to all clients, friends of the IRI, players and participants from our courses and everyone else we've been lucky enough to meet and work with during 2011.
Things are going from strength to strength for the IRI and we look forward to seeing so many rugby people, new friends and old over the course of the year.
If you like to chat about current Irish rugby affairs, keep up to date with news from all areas of the Irish game and give yuor opinion, then our Irish O'Rugby chat page is for you! https://www.facebook.com/irish.orugby?ref=tn_nonslim
The first Irish Rugby Institute 'November Mid Term' Course finished one week ago today in bright sunshine at MuGym in Malahide.
The main body of the course took place at excellent facilities in St Fintans High School, Sutton, and almost 40 players from 1st to 3rd year enjoyed a busy week.
The course was graced by a variety of coaches with Leinster U19 coach, Greg McWilliams, a real hit with the players. At MuGym, conditioning expert Neil Barrett demonstrated age specific strength training, focussing on functional, multi directional exercises - emphasising body weight resistance and rugby specific planing.
*Note - all Academy players will be receiving Neil's programme by email very soon!
Thanks to all the coaches who appeared, helped or rowed in over the week - it was a great success and we look forward eagerly to the next one.
Neil Barrett & MUGym added to mid-term course!!
As always the IRI seek to improve and add to our existing content and this mid term we've added a very exciting feature to our course. Neil Barrett of MUGym in Malahide will coach Academy players for one of the days giving professional advice on strength training in a specific fashion catering for rugby, the age of the athlete, their own develoment level and their position!
This module, located at MUGym will introduce players to the strength training in a safe and supervised environment where every question can be answered and training myths can be exploded. If you (or your young player) wants to get stronger - well here's how. Learn the right way from the start, and learn from one of the best at one of the top gyms in Dublin.
Neil has extensive experience coaching rugby players of all ages and is very excited at the prospect of working with IRI players! Here's a short Neil Barrett biopic....
Nutritionist, Strength & Conditioning Coach & Personal Trainer. Qualifications & Experience: MSc. Human Nutrition, PG Dip. Human Nutrition, BSc. Hons. Sports & Exercise Science, Strength & Conditioning (UKSCA). With over ten years experience, Neil is recognized as one of the most highly qualified and experienced trainers/coaches in the industry. In addition to working as a personal trainer, Neil also works closely with several GAA teams & Rugby clubs. Furthermore, Neil also lectures for Lucozade Sport on behalf of Coaching Ireland & the University of Limerick.
RWC with IRISH O'RUGBY
Follow the Rugby World Cup and contribute your throughts with the Irish Rugby Institute's facebook chat page 'irish O'Rugby'!
Win teeshirts and course places with the Irish Rugby Institute of facebook. Visit our chat page Irish O'Rugby and share your opinions, ideas, thoughts, pictures and more with other fans and supporters of Irish Rugby!
Make sure you also LIKE our fan page - https://www.facebook.com/irishrugbyinstitute - this is where you can find out more details and information about the Irish Rugby Institute, the courses, the coaching, the rugby.
We look forward to your friend request and joining together in pushing Irish Rugby forward!
PLEASE TAKE OUR SURVEY!
We are trying to improve the work we do at the Irish Rugby institute to help develop players in a professional, yet fun, environment - if you are a player under 18 or the parent of a player under 18, please take our survey. All feedback is anonymous!
The NEW Irish Rugby Institute SKILLS WORK SHOP HAS LAUCNHED!!! on rugbyinstitute.com - New content, New coaches, same top class tuition.
THIS NOVEMBER 1ST - 4TH at St Fintans High School, the IRI are running an all new coaching course aimed at providing solutions for players 'in season' so they can work through problems they are encountering week to week. Our goal is provide answers and education to help each player in the areas concerning them!!!
Allied to this will be new modules covering game appreciation and understanding to help players develop as thinking creative players. Alongside the well known IRI coaches will be some new faces and a SPECIAL GUEST COACH due to be announced in the coming weeks!
We're sad it's over but for the two weeks spent between Monkstown RFC and Suttonians RFC the Irish Rugby Institute made new friends, met some old favourites and enjoyed some great coaching, collisions and games with players from all over Europe!
The hard hitting Italians from the l'Aquila club joined a large contigent from CES which consisted of wonderful French players from all over France, some more great Italians, a pair of Luxembourg Internationals, some smashing Spanish guys and even a player from Russia! Of course a large smattering of Irish guys added to the cross cultural polination. To complete the mix we had the pleasure of our first female Academy attendee, Clemence - hailing from France, joined in many of the skill, conditioning and psychology sessions with no little skill or enthusiasm.
The courses proceeded towards the climax of the fortnight on thursday 18th when an age graded mixed nationality training tournament was held at Suttonians RFC. The rugby was 7s/10s style and played with flair and speed. Feedback from the various players after showed that guys learned a lot about how rugby is played in other countries and judging from the amount of 'facebook' address swapping going on afterwards, many new friendships were forged!
So...success! Fun! ....RUGBY! What a start!
DANCING ROSSA!
MINI RUGBY IS ABOUT FUN, FIRST AND FOREMOST!
To see the IRI's own Rossa Keane and his unique warm ups - click on the link below!
Missed a week there I think, been busy here with rugby and what not!
All is going really well still and training is still short but good. A normal training would consist of handling drills at the start like full length touch then its on to units for most of the session.
The backs working a lot on handling skills and kicking skills. The last few weeks we have been focusing a lot on the kick and the kick chase because over here you can't really afford to kick loosely because the the players are so good at running and counter attacking.
The Div 2 boys have Belfast this week which should be a good game. They're a good side with some dangerous players. Last week we played Marists and we beat them by a point with the last kick of the game.
After that it was onto the court session for all the new lads there were quite a few. It was a very good experience and a great way to really become one of the Sumner boys. Certainly a fun night though its bit different to court sessions at home.
That's all for now, hope the weather is being good too you all.
Talk soon.
Drico
Drico in NZ - The Blog! : Week 2
DRICO IN NZ, WEEK 2!
Hello from NZ!
This week was pretty good over here and I'm settled in quite well.
Rugby is going well and I have to say I'm learning a bit. Trainings are only an hour at the moment, from 6-7pm, and that's kinda good because its gets dark around half 4 int he afternoon! We had are club day on saturday just gone. That's when everyone in the club comes down to watch the div 1 team. There are hot dogs and stuff during and after the game and a bit of a party atmosphere which is nice to be involved in.
We won are game against Linwood 34-24 it was good. I played in the div 2 game, again at 2nd five eighth. For the younger lads reading this, that's first centre, or inside centre as we know it. They call out half 1st five eighth and then 'second centre' is simply called centre. It's a bit different but also kinda how they like to play often with 2nd five eight also being a creative player. When you think of Luke McAllister or Aaron Mauger you get the idea. Aaron did the reverse trip to me back in the nineties, visiting Suttonians for a season. I hope I can be half the player he was.
The rugby here seems to be alot quicker and harder over here than at home across the board. I'd wondered was it just the first game perhaps. Not too many teams have small guys playing so its tough from that aspect. After the games all the players go to a bar down the road that sponsers the club which was good laugh and we all went there to watch the super 15 final when the Reds beat the Crusaders.
Thats all I have for now but I'll be back in touch soon!
THE SEASON IS BACK!
The season is back now and all minds turn to matches and even cup or league campaigns down the line. Remember to implement the processes you’ve learned at every training to get the full benefit from your IRI course.
…AND IF IT SEEMS LIKE YEARS AGO! Don’t worry, get in touch. We are always happy to give advice or go over some of the techniques or principles covered at our courses.
You can contact us by email; info@rugbyinstitute.com or on our Facebook page (If you’re not already an IRI fan, do it now!)
Finally, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming news on courses during the season and beyond plus more big news due soon!
TRAIN TO BE THE BEST!
Drico in NZ - The Blog! : Week 1
DRICO IN NZ - THE BLOG : WEEK ONE
Alex O'Driscoll is an Irish Rugby player currently playing with Sumner Rugby Club in Christchurch. A former Leinster A schools player, and development cup winner with St Fintans HS, Alex has taken the trip to New Zealand to learn his trade in arguably the greatest rugby hotbed on earth. A veteran of four Irish Rugby Institute courses and seminars, Alex will be reporting weekly on rugby and life in New Zealand as the country prepares for a world cup while recovering from catastrophic earth quakes.
Everything is different yet so much stays the same. Not long after arriving in New Zealand I was training and lining up to play my first game in the land of the long white cloud. This was brilliant for me and very settling as straight away I was able to get into what I love and experience what I came for.
I'm staying with a nice family with some young children, which is kinda like home for me too. I've some job interviews set up this week so with a little luck I can organise something at that end.
But back to the rugby. The first thing you notice is the speed. It's like a game of TAG. The recycles are fast and the ball moves around quickly. That suits me because it's the type of game I like to play but you can't help being impressed at times. I played inside centre which wasn't too far removed from my favoured position of out half.
Of course along with the speed you have the noticeable size of the players particularly the Maori and Island boys who bring a pretty tough side to the game, very hard hitting. It's a little intimidating at first but when you get into the game your focus changes.
There are still after shocks here from the quakes which everybody knows about. They were unnerving at first I have to say, but like everything there is an up side - the community here have got really close, and there's a very noticeable bond between people. I hear there will be street parties every so often too which I am looking forward to - no party is complete without some Irish flavour.
Till next time....
Drico
Monkstown - getting started!
AND WE'RE OFF...! The Monkstown Course and first day of the IRI summer kicked off yesterday in blazing sunshine at Sydney Parade. Boys from Dublin, L'Aquila in Italy and all parts of France enjoyed the day and left, as did the coaches, crispier and tired! Day two today and we expect 80 plus attendees at what should be a fantastic day of multicultural rugby in Dublin 4! Here goes..... ;)
'Irish' will be bringing news and chat to facebook from the point of view of the Irish Rugby fan and we need your opinions and banter.
So check it out right now by following the link above and get chatting!
EARLY BIRD TO END
Early Bird Rates TO END 24th June!
The reduced rate for IRI Summer courses will end this week on friday at midnight so get booking now!!! Rates FOR ALL SUMMER COURSES are currently at all all time low of €89 until the end of the week, regardless of age or venue!
Alternatively you can post a cheque or draft to our address at 1 Carrickbrack Park, Sutton, D13
SUMMER FLYER 2011
CHECK OUT OUR FLYER FOR SUMMER 2011
You'll be seeing our flyer in shops and clubs in the coming weeks ahead of the Summer Courses! A stunning piece of work, the work was done by Demon Design in Clontarf who have significantly added to the IRI brand and prifile in 2011! Thanks lads from the IRI team.
All the booking information on the flyer is available online, and payments can be made by cheque, cash, credit card and laser card.
All information should be availbel on the site but if you have other questions - please call us on 839 1604 or drop an email to info@rugbyinstitute.com. We are always delighted to discuss our courses and we look forward to our biggest summer of rugby ever!
IRI to stage first ever rugby course at St Fintans High School, Sutton this August 2011.
Section A School, St Fintans, have welcomed the IRI to hold an Academy and Mini course at the Sutton venue this August for the first time ever.
The school have been strong performers in the Development Cup over the last few years and now reside in Section A at Senior and Junior level. No mean feat after only ten seasons of rugby in the school.
Increasingly attended by boys who've played the game in Clontarf, Suttonians and Malahide, St Fintans has become a strong option for players seeking to combine rugby with their academics at school.
The school itself has a proud sporting history with thirteen different sports available to pupils including soccer, athletics, tennis, squash and gaelic games. However, basketball - one of the more recent sports in the school has become synonomous with the name St Fintans over the last decade and more as the school became a powerhouse on the court.
With this in mind, it seems rugby schools everywhere should watch out as the current rise of rugby looks promising in a school rich in talent.
The St Fintans course is open to players from all clubs and school and the IRI look forward to meeting old and new friends on the Dublin Road.
The IRI are celebrating this weekend's Magners League Grand Final between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park with a competition on our facebook page!
On what is sure to be a very proud day for Irish Rugby, in a season when Leinster took the Heineken Cup, Ulster reasserted themselves as a European power and Connacht stepped up to the top table in Europe, the Irish Rugby Institute will be watching intently like every other Irish Rugby fan!
So tune in and cheer on your team and enter our FACEBOOK COMPETITON to win a FREE PLACE on an IRI course of your choice OR a FREE ONE2ONE session with an IRI coach of your choice!
Simply click on the link below and post your entry to the the following poser:
PREDICT THE FIRST TRY SCORER IN THE MAGNERS LEAGUE GRAND FINAL AND GUESS THE TIME OF THAT SCORE.
The closest answer will be chosen and notified by the Irish Rugby Institute.
.....and while you're there, make sure you 'LIKE' our page so you can keep up to date with the latest news, information and competitons brought to you by the IRI.
Alternativley, for more information or to book by phone, email or by post you can contact the IRI by phoning 01 839 1604 or by emailing info@rugbyinstitute.com
AFRICA DAY @ OBRFC
The IRI met with Mr Eric Yao, Coordinator from the Africa Centre at Old Belvedere RFC as he prepared to open Africa Day at the Dublin 4 venue.
At the home of the All Ireland Division One Champions, Eric and his team were setting up for a great day of partying and celebration with a variety of stalls and tents erected on the seconds pitch on Anglesea Road.
'We loved the event and have committed to taking a spot at next year's event' said director Rossa Keane. 'Africa rugby players and players of African origin have been excelling on the world stage for a long time and the IRI are committed to helping African Irish experience the game'
If you are interested in trying rugby and aren't sure where to start - the IRI is always happy to help introduce new players to local clubs. email rob@rugbyinstitute.com for further information.
**Keep watching IRI news for upcoming information on scholarship places to IRI courses.
SUMMER AT SUTTONIANS - EARLY BIRD BOOKING!
SUMMER COURSES IN SUTTONIANS ARE NOW BOOKING AT EARLY BIRD RATES UNTIL 12MIDNIGHT - MAY 2011.
BOOK NOW IN THE IRI SHOP TO AVAIL OF THE GREAT DISCOUNTED RATES!
IRI welcome International Visitors
The Irish Rugby Institute have been delighted to welcome the Noorzoy, Hillelson families from Sweden alongside Nicolo and Antonio Pau from Italy to the Easter courses in Suttonians RFC.
The IRI are no stangers to International guests, but this is the first time we've hosted Italian friends at our Easter courses and the first time we've been graced by visitors from Sweden at all!
Antonio is a huge man already and at only fourteen looks to have all the raw physical ingrendients for an interesting future in the game. Hopefully the IRI can add to his development now and again in the summer if he returns as planned.
Carl Hillelson is also on the Academy and a skilful player to boot. He has taken to the lines of running sessions with aplomb and we expect to hear that he is making more breaks than ever when he returns home.
Alexander Noorzoy and Henrik Hillelson are training with the Junior Academy now having eased themselves into the IRI experience. No doubt their rugby will improve quickly, hopefully as quickly as they make friends as on the evidence of today's sessions they've become popular boys among their Irish peers.
On behalf of the IRI team - thanks for coming over, it's been a pleasure to meet you and definitely come again soon!
GIRLS JUST WANNA....(PLAY RUGBY!)
Not a moment too soon and probably overdue; the Irish Rugby Institute finally made amends in recognising the ladies games this Easter at Suttonians RFC.
In splendid weather, the first EVER girls only IRI course was headed up by former Leinster under age player Aisling Halpin and supported by other IRI coaches.
The girls played a lot of TAG rugby and practised the elements of the game such as handling skills, defensive organisation and evasion, but also engaged in kicking and basic fundamental movement aspects of conditioning.
Most importantly - the girls brought a wonderful colour and energy to proceedings with their own style and flavour which was a joy to witness. The skills levels were exceptionally high and there is no doubt we witnessed some real stars of the future.
The IRI are fully committed to continuing girls courses this summer - so watch out for Summer Course launches next week!!
FIT 4 TAG - FREE SESSION!
ARE YOU FIT 4 TAG?! COME TRY IT FOR FREE!!!
The newest IRI programme starts SOON. The first session is FREE for all - simply call us at 01 839 1604 or email info@rugbyinstitute.com to reserve your space. Ideal for newcomers to TAG rugby, those only considering playing, or even people who just wish to get fitter in a fun, safe, game orientated environment!
The first goal of FIT 4 TAG is to provide a course of sessions to suit the novice and intermediate TAG rugby players who wish to learn the game and acquire or develop the basic skills. During the course, attendees will become familiar with their roles in the game, and rules will be explained as the sessions progress.
The second goal of FIT 4 TAG is to help improve the physical conditioning of participants who want to enjoy the TAG experience to it's fullest while improving all round fitness and toning. The experienced coaches from Toned&Fit have devised a fun rugby orientated programme that comprises fun and helps you achieve YOUR fitness goals!
YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE EVER PLAYED RUGBY OR TAG RUGBY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COURSE.
The FIT 4 TAG sessions are designed by the Irish Rugby Institute and Toned&Fit, companies with qualified coaches and experience in rugby and conditioning coaching.
IRI flexes it's muscles!
....AND THEY'RE OFF!
The Irish Rugby Institute Courses for 2011 kicked off this week in regular haunt - Suttonians RFC. So far so good in terms of weather, the boys and girls in attendance at the mini camp have been enjoying the sun and the rugby rugby that goes with it. It's a long way from Easter 2010 when the minis were confined to the local school gymnasium (kindly provided by St Fintans High School). Let's hope the sunny spell continues!
This year's Academy has been revised and upgraded with the Easter providing a taster of what is to come in the Summer. Faster change between modules, more exposure to a greater rasnge of coaches, personal ONE2ONE sessions, testing and advanced skill concepts are just some of the new aspects to the course which has been really well received. Only two days down so far - plenty more to come!!!
7 days to go!!!
Only 7 days remain until the IRI courses kick back into action in 2011 with our Easter Academy and Mini courses.
Regular IRI venue Suttonians RFC hosts it's 6th IRI course and fittingly is the first venue to witness the all NEW IRI Academy course with new formula, content, features and more.
The following week the course moves on to St Marys RFC for the first time ever! The IRI are delighted to be appearing at one of the great Irish clubs and look forward to working with the young players, many of who are sure to follow the likes of Jonny Sexton, Shane Jennings and Denis Hickie.
This Easter 2011 - the Irish Rugby Institute will make it's debut at the famous St Mary's College RFC. From 26th to the 29th April the courses will take place at the Templeville Road grounds.
The IRI will roll out BOTH the Academy and Minis Courses welcoming athletes from 12-18 to engage in the professionally coached Academy, while children between the ages of 5 and 11 will love the special IRI Mini Camp. *Full details on both the Academy & Mini Camp can be found on our Camps & Courses page.
The EARLY BOOKING RATE will be available for these courses for a limited time also with the 31st of March the cut off point - so book early to avoid disappointment and avail of the reduced rate.
Thank you Petrarca & Milan!
What a weekend - two beautiful cities, some fantastic people and wonderful rugby clubs on a Six Nations weekend - it doesn't get much better.
The IRI were in Italy to promote the English and Rugby Course which has been running during the summer months with great success. The famous Petrarca club in Padova and Amatori Milan were wonderful hosts and the IRI were afforded the opportunity to work with some of Italy's young talent.
The English & Rugby Course will welcome players between 12 and 18 from all over Europe who wish to improve their English and Rugby in Dublin, Ireland. The English tuition and Rugby coaching experience as part of this course is simply second to none, all set in the historic capital of Ireland - you can email info@rugbyinstitute.com for full details.
Thank you to all at Petrarca Rugby Club in Padova for for hosting the Irish Rugby Institute and inviting us to coach your young players - certainly the three age grades we worked with looked very talented - and your boys sure like contact!! We made some great friends and must thank also Matteo and his friends for showing us some great spots in Padova - we will stay in touch.
In Milan Coach Luca is doing a fine job with his big group of boys and again we would like to thank him and his coaches for inviting us to share in the session. It was great to see how quickly the embraced a few ideas and we were impressed how quickly they took to the communication aspect once they were invited to do so! No doubt there are some future stars there in the making.
Finally, thank you to Jonathan, Michael and Justin in CES, Dublin who set up the trip for us and a big thanks to Beate Lenzbauer of STS who was our host, travelling companion and guide for the weekend - we really enjoyed the time and your company.
Long standing venue Suttonians RFC kicks off the Easter Holiday Courses in 2011 with a four day Academy Course (born 99 or before) and Mini Camp (born between 2000-2005).
Academy
The IRI Academy Course will be the first part of a new updated and upgraded course for 2011 with the second part to be run during the summer months. As always, the Academy will focus on the core elements of skills, age specific rugby conditioning, rugby nutriton and the key area of mental conditioning. With some news coaches, special guests, exciting developments and most importantly a week of pure rugby to come - the IRI team look forward to seeing players & friends - old and new - back in Suttonians RFC.
Note - the IRI focus and build on basic elements as a core value so previous experience or competence levels are not a criteria for acceptance. All players are welcome, regulars and novices.
Mini Camp
The IRI Mini camp is also getting a freshen up in 2011 with out losing any of the constituent parts which made it such a success. Organisation, qualified coaches, age related focus on the IRI core elements of skills, movement conditioning, healthy eating and mental awareness/positivty will remain to the forefront with new games, a revised format and most importantly more FUN! It should be great!
EVEN BETTER - ALL BOOKINGS MADE BEFORE THE 1ST OF MARCH WILL BE AT THE EARLY BOOKING RATES! ACADEMY - €99 MINI - €75 (2011 Easter Rates : Academy - €120 Mini - €89)
The IRI are delighted to announce the launch of our new custom built website. Still operating from the same URL (www.rugbyinstitute.com) the new site is designed to cater for all of the IRI's needs now and into the future.
Our News section now features all the latest IRI news and World Rugby News so you can get it all in one place.
The Camps and Courses section allows for the ever increasing number of seminars, lessons, camps and sessions being held, with International Courses a new feature set to appear soon!
Check the Top Tips regularly to access what we hope will be a resevoir of information for aspiring players and the more established ones alike!
The new dedicated Gallery feature gives players and parents the chance to access the pictures taken at our our courses. Download, share or print them. They are there for you to enjoy at no cost.
The IRI shop will bring only quality rugby related products which we believe will ad to your rugby experience. We are committed to excellence in everything we do an everying appearing in the shop will fit the bill.
Please browse through the site and feel free to advise us of any snags as we are still bug hunting and proof reading! Any thoughts on what you'd like to see are more than welcome always, and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter while you are here!!!
Thanks for visiting, we wish you every success in rugby and life for 2011 and look forward to meeting you in person soon!
The IRI team.
IRI – with you ALL season!
Friday, September 10th, 2010
The season is back now and all minds turn to matches and even cup or league campaigns down the line. Remember to implement the processes you’ve learned at every training to get the full benefit from your IRI course.
…AND IF IT SEEMS LIKE YEARS AGO! Don’t worry, get in touch. We are always happy to give advice or go over some of the techniques or principles covered at our courses.
You can contact us by email; info@rugbyinstitute.com or on our Facebook page (If you’re not already an IRI fan, do it now!)
Finally, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming news on courses during the season and beyond plus more big news due soon!
TRAIN TO BE THE BEST!
Rugby&English 2011
After a wonderful three weeks this year, the IRI’s fantastic relationship with CES will grow to feature a fourth week in 2011. July will feature two seperate courses, from 5-15th & 19-29th. More students, more rugby, more Red Devil, more IRI. Intense!
ONE2ONE Coaching
Now the season is in full swing the IRI are specialisng in ONE ON ONE coaching. Whether you have a skill you need to work on or indeed its a physical or mental aspect you want to improve – WE HAVE THE COACHES FOR YOU!
Currently we have coaches working ONE ON ONE with players wishing to improve their skills (kicking, scrumhalf passing and tackling in particular), their mental approach to their game and their conditioning for rugby.
The classes can be arranged to suit. To make enquiries or book please call 01 839 6104 or email info@rugbyinstitute.com
The Aviva in the Snow
One of the many amazing pictures of the snow over the last week in Ireland, but this one is maybe the best! The home of Irish Rugby lit up during the snow.
Sign up for IRI Newsletter
To sign up for the new IRI Newsletter, simply add your email address on the homepage and you will get it direct to your mailbox every month. The latest edition hit inboxes in mid November and the December issue is due to go out very soon.
The Newsletter is the the place to get course information, upcoming events, promotions news and a variety of other IRI related articles.
