The Suttonians RFC U12s travelled to Westport from 24–26 April 2026 for their annual end-of-season tour, marking a special milestone for a group of players who have been together since September 2019.

As their final year in the IRFU Minis pathway before progressing to Youths rugby, the tour provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate the players' development, commitment, and friendships built over many seasons together.

While rugby was at the heart of the weekend, the tour was about much more than the match itself. The boys took part in team meetings, were given responsibilities and small tasks throughout the trip, and enjoyed spending time together away from their usual routines. They even joined in a few country dances with the locals, creating memories that will be talked about for years to come.

One of the highlights of the weekend was cycling 25km along the spectacular Westport Greenway. The challenge brought a real sense of adventure and achievement to the tour, while also providing plenty of fun along the way.

On the rugby field, the squad enjoyed an excellent game against Westport RFC U12s, played in exactly the right spirit. Westport RFC made the entire Suttonians group feel extremely welcome, and their hospitality reflected the very best traditions and values of rugby. The club would like to sincerely thank everyone at Westport RFC for helping make the tour such a positive experience.

Tours such as these play an important role in the development of young players. At this age, children begin to grow in independence and responsibility, learning to manage their own kit, follow schedules, and look after their belongings. Equally important are the friendships that are strengthened through shared travel, activities, downtime, and matches. Experiences like these help build resilience, adaptability, teamwork, and respect for others — values that sit at the heart of rugby and contribute greatly to the wider development of young people.

For the players, coaches, and parents, the Westport tour was a memorable and rewarding experience. It celebrated the end of one chapter for this Suttonians group while providing a glimpse of the exciting journey that lies ahead as they move into Youths rugby. The photographs from the weekend capture many of the moments, friendships, and memories that will stay with this group for years to come.

A special thank you must go to the U12 coaching team, whose dedication and commitment as volunteers make opportunities like this possible. Week after week, they give their time and energy to support the development of our young players both on and off the pitch.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Hiscox Ireland, Windsor Liffey Valley Nissan, and Haircreathion (Blackrock & Blanchardstown) for their generous support of the tour. Their contribution helped make this memorable experience possible for the players and is greatly appreciated by everyone involved.