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23 Oct 2025
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23 Oct 2025
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Students from Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas, taking part in the ALDI Play Rugby National Festival on April 30
Future rugby stars from Mercy Convent Primary School in Naas, Co Kildare took centre stage at Aviva Stadium this week (April 30) for the ALDI Play Rugby National Festival.
The lucky girls were selected to take part in this year’s blitz following a nationwide competition that saw primary schools from across Ireland enter for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to line out in the home of Irish rugby.
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One school from each province was chosen, with Mercy Convent Primary School representing Leinster.
Irish rugby stars and ALDI Play Rugby ambassadors, Paul O’Connell, Linda Djougang and Beibhinn Parsons were among the legends on hand to inspire, challenge and cheer on the students as they took to the hallowed turf and stepped into the boots of their rugby heroes.
ALDI Play Rugby is a non-contact primary schools rugby programme, developed by the Irish Rugby Football Union and supported by ALDI.
It offers primary school students a safe and fun introduction to rugby and aims to encourage children to get active, participate in regular exercise and eat healthily. Schools are provided with access to invaluable resources including sessions with Community Rugby Officers, online coaching and equipment.
The programme has been a huge success with hundreds of schools across Ireland taking part. As Official Fresh Food Partner to the IRFU until 2028, ALDI will continue to offer meaningful investment and support to ALDI Play Rugby, ensuring that children all over Ireland are given the opportunity to get involved in rugby and encouraged to embrace healthy habits.
Speaking about the festival, Paul O’Connell, ALDI Play Rugby Ambassador and former Ireland captain, commented: “The ALDI Play Rugby Festival is always a wonderful event, and this year was no different. It was a joy to share the pitch with the future stars of tomorrow and experience their energy and enthusiasm for the sport.
“Programmes like ALDI Play Rugby are vital in building the future of Irish rugby and it’s fantastic to see ALDI continuing to invest in the sport at grassroots level. Bring on next year!”
For more information on ALDI Play Rugby and how your school can get involved, please visit:
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