MY CLUB: OLD WESLEY RFC
Old Wesley Rugby Club
Donnybrook
Dublin 4
By DAIRE WALSH
THE new 2015/16 season has proven to be a memorable one so far for Old Welsy RFC, who currently find themselves riding high at the top of Ulster Bank League Division 1B.
The Donnybrook-based club have maintained the momentum that helped them to secure last season’s Division 2A crown, and although there a number of squad members have progressed through the underage ranks, club President Mark Younge feels that Old Wesley’s facilities have helped to attract players into the club.
“The captain (Ian Cassidy) is a product of our underage, which is great to see. We’ve a couple of guys that are in the squad that are products of our underage system that went to Wesley College, but also came through the minis. A lot of the squad have actually played mini rugby for the club, and have come through, which is the heartening thing to see from my point of view anyway,” remarked Younge.
“We’re delighted to see guys coming through the underage set-up. But we’ve also attracted players with the new pitches which have been a major pull.”
Active
Now that he has entered the final stage of a three-year cycle, Younge (who also coaches the club’s Under 11 side) has assumed the role of club President for the current campaign. He initially joined the club in 1988, and has played an active part – on and off the field – ever since.
“The presidency started in early June, but I’ve been junior deputy President, senior deputy President. It’s three-year cycle. You learn the ropes, I suppose, and then you take in your final year. Then you represent the club, the face of the club if you like.
“I was in Newpark Comprehensive, which wasn’t a rugby-playing school, but I played rugby in school. I joined Old Wesley in 1988. I spent a couple of years in the UK, but came back sort of crocked and injured. I didn’t play a lot, but I helped out in management with the first team, then did secretary of the rugby group, and then went on to do fixtures secretary of the club.”
These are exciting times for Old Wesley, and with close to €1 million being spent on the development of their new clubhouse facilities, they are determined to make their mark on the domestic scene.
“This week, we’ve just started development of the clubhouse in Donnybrook. Nearly €1 million is going to go into the new facility in Donnybrook. We’ve sort of got (it) together from funds, from members, and we’ve still some money from the sale of that land.
“We’ve also got fantastic sports capital grant, and the IRFU have assisted us as well. We got a loan from the IRFU. Hopefully we will have a new clubhouse with new facilities, four changing rooms whereas we only have two currently. They’ll be at Leinster standard changing rooms,” he added.