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My Suttonians

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With a strong, vibrant minis section (age u6-u12) Suttonians' fledglings take to the pitches on Sunday mornings and some midweek evenings. Hard work invested by those in the club's MY Suttonians and coaches has seen the club grow strong in numbers with improved results at these ages. Over the years, Suttonians have fed at least as many high quality players into the schools system as any other nursery in the city. This, in many cases, has been damaging to the club with the rugby schools reaping the benefits of the hard work invested. A large number of Suttonians minis have gone on to represent Leinster and Ireland at under-age level and often do not return to the nest, instead favouring the lure of AIL Division One rugby after leaving school.

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Players such as Aidan Kearney (Leinster Rugby/Ulster Rugby) who returned to play and coach with Suttonians, and in recent years Dave O'Brien (Leinster Academy / Ireland U20) and Ian Keatley (Munster Rugby/Ireland U20) have taken this route. Former Leinster, Melbourne Rebels and Western Force hooker Tom Sexton started playing rugby in Suttonians' Mini set-up.

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The minis 'exodus' impacts hardest at youths level (age u13-u18) as Suttonians has been in a position where restocking in terms of numbers and quality has left the club and coaches with a hard task. Traditionally, some youths attending schools in the neighbourhood have filled the void by taking up the game afresh to play alongside those in local schools continuing through from minis. The increase in popularity of the game in 'non traditional' rugby areas has helped recruit larger numbers in recent years and it must be said that while recruitment at youths has been difficult for the club the potential to attract young talent from local, 'non traditional' areas could surely be an area of huge, hitherto largely untapped, growth.

 

The club employs a Youth Development Officer whose role is to introduce the game into new schools and propagate interest in the sport with the hope that some of these young players will join the club during or after school. St. Fintan's High School, winners of Leinster Schools Development Cup 2006/07 are a good example of the work being done by the club in the local community.

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