Club Development
For any of you who have visited Templeville Road in recent months you can’t have helped noticing the recent additions to the pavilions.
These additions are the culmination of much planning and effort, not to mention some serious fundraising. The plans had been in the pipeline for a few years. As with all Clubs trying to achieve success, the availability of Gym facilities is a must. Part of the new development includes a state of the art gym boasting the most up to date equipment required by modern day players. St Marys have also added a brand new medical room, upgraded their top two dressing rooms and also added TV Quality match floodlights on the main pitch. These additions make Templeville Rd, one of the best equipped facilities in the country and the envy of many clubs.
Last season St Marys hosted all 3 Womens Internationals under lights, and have been awarded both Internationals again this year versus England & France.
Most rugby followers understand that the appetite for midweek – floodlit rugby is becoming more and more appealing. Many players simply do not fancy Sunday rugby anymore and those clubs with Floodlights are certainly taking every opportunity they can to arrange games mid week for their Junior players. This is also true for St Marys. Of course the downside of this is the wear and tear and the pitch and so the final phase of the St Marys development plan would be to upgrade the pitch to an all weather type surface – watch this space.
An additional benefit which has materialized is in fact one we had realized would be such a beneficial feature. On top of the new rooms and gym we added patio slabs making great use of the space and allowing us to add picnic tables and chairs. During the summer tag season this area was very popular among the players who socialized after their Tag endeavors.
We recently "informally" christened the patio when we held a Family BBQ on Sunday 28th Sept. Alas some of the people thought they might wrap up a great day by going to the RDS to see Leinster beat Munster – but hey you cant have everything ! ! !
It must be said that enormous credit must go to last years president, the great Frank Kennedy, who was the driving force behind the whole project and who undertook the Project management in what was already a very busy Presidential year for him.
Testimonials
“These new amenities will add greatly to the enjoyment of players and spectators alike and should assist player recruitment and retention at ladies, mini, junior and senior level.”
Davy Lyons - Junior Player
“A very high level of fitness is demanded of today's professional rugby players. The St Mary's players will now have facilities to compare with the best I've experienced”.
Jonathan Sexton - Leinster
“Having all aspects of coaching, training and conditioning available “on site”, our teams are now assured of best preparation practices”
Peter Smyth - Head Coach
Malcolm O Kelly - Leinster & Ireland
“The commitment of St Mary's to underage and youth rugby is never so evident to me as when I'm invited to present medals at the end-of-season prizegiving at the Club. Literally hundreds of children participate and all organised by many dedicated coaches and parents. Two years ago and just to add to the frenzy, myself and Keith Gleeson landed by helicopter on the main pitch... Those children had some stories to tell their envious school friends the next day!
As a gangly 17 year old myself many people within this Club encouraged me, presented me with the opportunities to progress on to represent my country and instilled in me their passion for rugby and their affection for the Club.
A large chunk of my training as a professional player takes place in a gym, whether that's power lifting, strength training, aerobic and rehab exercises.With the building of a new gymnasium (with other upgrades and the provision of new floodlights!) St Mary's will, yet again, set the standard. The gym at the club will be of great benefit to its members and the conditioning programmes devised and developed will better equip players at all levels for the physical exertions of the modern game of rugby. I'm even looking forward to pumping some iron there myself!
I will be always proud to be a member of St Mary's College RFC and I wish the Club every success with this super project”.
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How can you get involved ?
1. The new facilities, opened in February 2008, include a top quality, full equipped gymnasium; two additional extra-spacious changing rooms and a modern medical/treatment suite.
2. Television quality floodlights have been installed for the main pitch and all other pitch-lighting upgraded.
3. These innovations and the refurbishment of selected existing amenities will ensure that St Mary's College RFC will always be at the forefront of club rugby in Ireland and that your enjoyment will be further enhanced.
Be there for floodlit rugby and “see the THE STARS shine at night!”.
3. Tax Back: We all like to receive money back from the “Tax Man”. Under our scheme all approved contributions to the Club can maximise the tax advantage to the club.
| EXAMPLE: | ||
| Monthly | Annual | |
| PAYE tax payer contributes €25 per month | €25.00 | €300.00 |
| Club receive tax back at 40% | €16.66 | €200.00 |
| €41.66 | €500.00 | |
| This €25 per month is worth €500 per annum to the Club or €2500 over 5 years. | ||
| €1500 contributed by a member equals €2,500 to the Club | ||
A self-employed tax payer can pay the contribution to the Club gross and receive a tax write-off for this contribution in the annual returns.
| EXAMPLE: | ||
| Monthly | Annual | |
| Self-employed tax payer contributes €41.66 per month | €41.66 | €500.00 |
| Tax relief @ 40% | €16.66 | €200.00 |
| Net cost | €25.00 | €300.00 |
4. Throughout the project you will receive by e-mail or text regular progress reports and updates. A diary on the Club website will also provide additional information.
5. The facilitators for this fundraising initiative are Brian Corrigan,Louise Crotty, Tom O'Brien, Eoin Quinn and Niall Rynne.
Download the standing order form.
More information on tax relief for donations to St Mary's College RFC.
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