Energia is thrilled to shine a light on grassroots clubs around the country.

“I remember adult players asking me why we weren't getting more people at our games, or why aren't the kids coming up to watch? And I kind of asked them; ‘Well, do they know who you are?’ And they said; ‘No’. And I said; ‘Well, do you know who they are?’ And they said; ‘No’. And I said; ‘Well, why would they like?’”

Jeff Neville is relatively new in Balbriggan, but that conversation in his early days at the club still rings true. The Limerick teacher joined the club in 2019, beginning with the Women’s team, before taking on the Director of Rugby role and now working with the Men’s senior teams.

Neville has spearheaded a programme in the club that has seen a “top-down” approach, where players in the men’s and women’s senior teams, help train the juvenille teams throughout the season. The idea has seen the club’s fortunes soar, with Balbriggan’s stars of tomorrow, now being influenced by their stars of today.

The women and girls’ teams have seen numbers grow in recent years, as the playing pool goes from strength to strength.

Louise McCleery is the Women’s playing Captain this season, but also the Girls’ Co-Ordinator, ensuring the club’s future on the Women’s side remains strong. She’s in her fourth season with the club and wants younger girls to have the same opportunities she did at their age.

“I had influences who would have done anything to make sure that we got to play, whether they were involved themselves or had daughters or, you know, were people involved in the game. These girls now have a base that I never got. I started playing with Boyne when I was 12 or 13, but didn't play structured rugby until I got to college. These girls have played minis and played with the boys up to U10s or U12s.”

When Jeff and Louise are both asked to give an example of how the “top-down” approach has worked in the club, they both give the same one-word answer. “Sophie”.

“Sophie is our kind of resident mascot”, McCleery says of the Under-10 player. “Even at that age, for some reason rugby is Sophie’s life. She comes down to every game, no matter where we are. It could be Tullamore, it could be wherever, and Sophie will be there.”

“She’s our connector then to the other girls her age because some of them might not know us in the Senior team or they might be newer. And when we Sophie there and Sophie so close with us and you know, they all feel like they can get to know us too!”

A simple example, of how the system works, but Neville says it’s proof that offering these players the opportunity to work with senior players will reap benefits in the coming years.

“We won Division Two a few years ago, and there's a wonderful picture of Sophie on a tractor at the club ground. She's on the tractor with one of the players holding the cup as well. That comes as a result of they can't join in what they can see, but suddenly they see it and they want to be a part of it."

The commitment to play senior club rugby is not one that should be overstated, but Neville adds that the buy-in from all sides has been immense in ensuring the club’s foundations remain strong.

“It's actually very easy and the reason it was so easy is because these adult players just said yes and they embraced it and they literally did. They don't need me to constantly be at them saying, ‘Why haven't you signed up or anything?’  

“Every Monday I send out the list for the week and if a player can't make it because, you know, life gets in the way, work gets in the way, that's fine. But rather than just say; ‘I can't make it’, they'll always look for a swap, or they'll say; ‘I can't do this week, but I'll come down next week. They consciously make an effort to be involved in the youth teams.”

Balbriggan and Ashbourne have amalgamed on the girls’ side at U14s, U16s and U18s, under the name AB.

McCleery says it gives the players the opportunity to continue playing up to the senior level, while still remaining part of the game.

“It was collaboration, with both clubs from the start. From a retention rate, I think once we were able to provide that for people, it becomes a lot easier for players to stay. What may have happened, from U14s on previously, was that it was a bit unstable. Players didn't know when matches were happening because we didn't know. That’s changed now with amalgamation. It works great for both clubs.

“The goal is to have our own pathway straight from the minis all the way up. We've had it before, so it's just a case of getting it back and that comes with everything is cyclical, you know, it'll come, but I know that's Ashbourne's goal too, so it's working together to get there, which is great. It's both of our goals, and but the only way to do it is to be able to collaborate now, and it'll flourish for both clubs.”

Alma Atagamen is the club’s most famous daughter, having played for Leinster and the Wolfhounds in the Celtic Challenge. She has trained with the Ireland team ahead of last year’s World Cup, and is a prime example, according to Neville, of the pathways Balbriggan provide.

“We're very, very proud of the pathway that we've built, not only from minis to senior level, but also for players to get recognised at a provincial level. We’ve had players represent Ireland and Leinster and underage level, as well as on the North-East teams in Leinster."

Such is Balbriggan’s creativity with player recruitment; they will be bringing the sport into estates in the town throughout the summer.

“We’re working with former Ireland and Leinster player Ailsa Hughes, who is our Area Coordinator”, McCleery said.

“The club is situated a good bit out of the town, so we want to bring it to a comfortable environment for people. It's so daunting to go up to a club, with the pitches, floodlights, and a lot of people we could be there. You know, you've got a huge amount going on.  

“If we can get people out in places where they are and involved and visibly seeing a rugby ball, you know, they're going to be inquisitive and they're going to be intrigued and what's that and where is that and why are they there and that sort of thing. It can then be an easier transition to get them back to the club”

The likes of Sophie remain the prime example of how the club’s teams are blending together from the top town. In the not-too-distant future, we will be seeing the stars of tomorrow, becoming the stars of today.