Last Thursday, 24th April saw the start of this years NUIM Barnhall Under 12’s tour, the highlight of their Mini Rugby careers. It marks the players farewell to the Mini section and graduation on to Youth rugby. This year there were 43 players on tour and each had been kitted out with Jerseys, Hoodys, Kit bags etc. thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of the players and their parents.
The tour group were collected at 06.00hrs at NUIM Barnhall and travelled to Dublin Port for the ferry crossing to Holyhead. After a short stop-off in Caernarfon for lunch we made our way to Caernarfon RFC for the first matches of the tour. The tour jerseys got there first outing. This was the first international played by the Under 12s and they enjoyed the excitement of playing 15-a-side on a full pitch in a competitive match was easily seen. Following the matches Caernarfon RFC provided the touring group with the best of Welsh hospitality. This gave everyone the opportunity to mingle and chat and following presentations by both teams. The final part of our journey was to Swallow Falls in Betws-y-Coed where we were booked in for two nights.
Friday was activity day and we travelled the short distance to Tree Tops Adventure where we were to spend the day trying out the rope courses and the Powerfan (106ft leap of faith). One of the main objectives of this day is to promote team-building and allow the players to form a different kind of friendships apart from rugby. Following dinner back in Swallow Falls entertainment was provided by Karaoke, to the amusement of all.
Saturday started with matches in Nant Conway RFC. Nant Conwy had also invited Colwyn Bay RFC to join us and so each team played two matches. Apart from some bumps and bruises there were no injuries and again we were provided with hospitality and time to chat and make new friends. Following this we had to make our way back to Holyhead for the journey home. We were all glad to see Dublin as the trip on the Swift was not the most pleasant. However 90 people travelled on the tour and arrived home safe and well having experienced many new things and made new friends. A success, I think!
Story by Noeleen Harrison
