Meet the team, who have never lost a game in 16 years!

DLSP Eagles are a team that are synonymous with inclusion rugby, in Ireland. Based in De La Salle Palmerston’s Kirwan Park in south Dublin, the team is one of the first in Ireland to cater for players with additional needs in Ireland.

 Dave Hicks is a club stalwart, who leads the team, having gone into the world of inclusion sport unaware of the major role it would have in his life in the years to come.

 “I was approached by Norman O’Leary around 16 years ago”, Hicks said, when asked how he got involved in the Eagles. 

 “Norman is involved in Leinster Rugby and Seapoint. He came into De La Salle Palmerston on a Sunday morning, wanting to try and get clubs to set up tag rugby teams for players with additional needs.

 “To be honest, I wasn’t even sure what Norman was speaking about but we set up a meeting with the club, and he explained the concept. The club thought it was a great idea, and I was put in charge of setting the team up, that we now know as the DLSP Eagles.”

 DLSP, Seapoint and Greystones were the first clubs in Leinster to set up tag rugby teams for players with additional needs, and it has grown massively since then.

 “I had no experience of working with players with additional needs, until the Eagles were set up”, Hicks admitted. 

 “The team has evolved since then, and the inclusivity and acceptance in the club has been beneficial to everyone. The Eagles’ players are part of the furniture now in the club, the same way the men’s and women’s team are, along with the underage and minis too.”

Now in his early seventies, Hicks came into the role unaware of what was to follow, but his personality was ideal in setting up a team that continues to benefit players far outside DLSP’s traditional hinterland.

 “I like people! Life is not straightforward, and you have to learn how to deal with players with complex needs. It is a very fulfilling role, but I don't see it as that. I just enjoy it, and I love doing it.”

Tag rugby festivals are regular dates on the calendar now for the Eagles, having visited numerous clubs in Leinster over the past 12 months. Hicks says they are continuing to grow around the province, with the number of teams continuing to grow. Despite that, they have tried a different version of the festival concept closer to home.

 “In the club though we look at Festivals differently. The Eagles play against the First Team, the Under-20s and others too. That gives real inclusivity. The Eagles players love playing against players similar to themselves, but they also love playing against other teams in our club too in a big way.

 “Our Festival shows the inclusivity of the club. The whole club encompasses the whole club. I say that the Eagles are the most successful club in De La Salle Palmerston’s history. They have never lost a game in 16 years! They’ve never won one either though! Winning or losing is not important to these players. It’s all about participating.”

 Sunday mornings are Hicks’ busiest, where he takes charge of two teams in the club.

 “I’ve been coaching in DLSP for 30 years, and I’m now the Senior Coach of the Under-5s”, he chuckles. 

 “I started with my two boys. When my youngest was in the Under-12s, we had younger kids turn up, but there were no coaches to train them. We started an Under-8s team. I then went to the Under-7s, and ended up with our Daisy Pickers in the Under-5s!”

 Volunteers like Hicks are the lifeblood of grassroots clubs around Ireland, and he says there is always a role for someone to join any club, whether it’s on or off the field.

“Every situation needs a driver! Every team needs someone to lead in our club, and in all clubs. The volunteers need an interest, and to be committed. Otherwise it won't work!”

 There is always room for additional players in the club, Hicks says, and he’d love to see more players try out a training session on Sunday mornings in Kiltiernan.

 “We would love to increase the playing numbers. When parents hear the word ‘rugby’, they imagine Paul O’Connell running over their child on the pitch. When they see it, they love it though, and want to get their children no matter the age, involved. We want players to come and give it a try!”

 It’s been an unforgettable journey over the past 16 years for DLSP Eagles. Hicks and the team are ensuring they are just getting started.