As part of the 2025 Quilter Nations Series, Energia is thrilled to shine a light on grassroots clubs around the country. This week, the focus is on Creggs RFC.
Creggs RFC is one of Connacht’s most famous clubs. Based on the Galway/Roscommon border, the club continues to push boundaries both on and off the field, in their fantastic facilities at The Green.
Last year, the club celebrated their 50th Anniversary. One man who joined the club in its early days was Ger Dowd. With over 45 years spent at the club, in a variety of roles, Dowd is now the Director of Rugby.
He has also helped shape the club’s role in creating accessible and inclusive facilities in the area.
“It’s very important to me, and the club too”, Dowd revealed. “I have a 22-year-old daughter named Caoimhe, and she has special needs.
“Only for my daughter, I would not be as clued in to what people with additional needs require. Inclusion and accessibility, means my whole family can go to a game, and many more do the same.”
The club has undergone massive changes in recent years, with the facilities among the best in Connacht, that includes a new clubhouse, a 4G pitch, and three grass pitches. That work has seen a constant stream of new players coming to the club, moving very close to a 50-50 gender balance among players.
Last year, an inclusive team was set up, and even though it has yet to hit its second birthday, it continues to go from strength to strength.
“We set up Creggs Stags, having been inspired by the Corinthians Raptors in Galway city. They have been very successful, and we set up our own inclusive group last year. They already have 25 members and train every Saturday morning, alongside our Minis.”
Dowd works as Principal of the local National School, and he has seen the positive role sport can play in the lives of people with additional needs.
“We want to be open to the community as much as we can, so we have a strong link with Ability West. We forged links with them, and we have regular camps for their service users.
“One of the highlights of the year, was the Summer Camp we ran with Ability West and Enable Ireland, that we called Camp Ability. It was a brilliant success. We hope to roll out those camps around more venues around the Connacht area too. They will be the first of their kind in the country.”
In April, the club opened new accessible facilities, with the charity Changing Places. Dowd says it has helped the club grow along the west coast.
“It allows anyone who is a wheelchair user, or with additional needs, to use the toilet or showers. It’s not only for people at the matches. It’s open to anyone who wants to use it and can be found on the Changing Places website.
“We also have a community sensory room on site. We wanted people to come to the matches and have these facilities available. If anyone has a child with Autism, they can still watch games from the clubhouse, while knowing their child was in a safe space too.
“We’re really thankful to the IRFU for helping us fund the room as well. We have a lot of great charities like The Variety Club and The Children’s Club that support us too.”
While weekends are the lifeblood of grassroots clubs nationwide, Creggs’ pitches can be busy on weekdays too, working with local schools in the area.
“Last month, we ran Camp Extraordinary in the club, which was open to local schools, that have children with additional needs. Activities like these help the club work with the community during the week.”
While the club continues to grow, both on and off the field, Dowd says it would not be possible without the buy-in from the Committee, all the way down to the players.
“The two biggest factors in any club are having people and having resources. You need to have the buy-in from everyone in the club to work together, and we’ve had that.
“The facilities cost money, and our sponsors have given tremendous support, so we can be where we are. If there is no Changing Places room on site, we won’t have a camp, so it all links to each other.
“The facilities add to the experience everyone has. It’s a pleasurable experience for service users and carers too, and that is key.”
One of the latest additions to the club, is a new multi-purpose gym. While the senior teams use it on a regular basis, it was designed in mind to be used by all.
“Our gym is key for our senior teams, but the equipment is multi-use, which means many more people can use it”, Dowd explained. “We want the club to be a space for everyone, no matter whether on or off the field. That’s our vision.
On the wall of the Clubhouse, overlooking the main pitch are four simple words - “Respect, Inclusivity and Integrity”.
For Dowd, those words have been key to the club’s success, and its journey into the future.
“You don't have to be playing to be involved in the club. We’re far from perfect, but we’re doing our best to get as many people involved in the club, as we can.”
Energia sponsors rugby in Ireland at all levels, including in grassroots with the Energia AIL, and as Official Energy Partner for the Ireland Men’s and Women’s teams, along with Connacht Rugby and Leinster Rugby.
The Energia Rugby for All initiative supports inclusion, welcoming everyone of all abilities to play the game.