Gormly Building for the Future

Ireland's miserable Rugby World Cup campaign did little or nothing to inspire youngsters to pick up the oval ball, expect perhaps encouraging those who reckon they could have done a better job. That may have made Jamie Gormly's job a bit harder. If it has, he certainly isn't showing it.

The Kilkenny native was appointed Swords RFC's first ever Youth Development Office last month, in an unprecedented move for the club. They took the step in an effort to boost their fledgling youth section, which began with the renaming of the club in 2005.
The appointment is both a significant financial investment and serious statement of intent by the club. And with a town boasting a population of 43,000, the potential of rugby in Swords is enormous, regardless of the fortunes of the national side.

‘There seems to be a good bit of interest and rugby is high profile at the moment,' Jamie said. ‘I suppose if Ireland had got to the final then everyone would be going around in green jerseys. But it didn't exactly go to plan.'It hasn't really had any affect on potential players though, with the kids in Jamie's classes certainly bitten by the bug.

Current teaching tag rugby in two Swords secondary schools, he will have reached 10 schools by the New Year. His enthusiasm for the game is infectious and it's clearly a job he enjoys. ‘Some of the kids are a bit skeptical of the sport,' Jamie added. ‘But most of them are interested in having a go and they enjoy running around and playing games.‘For me the best aspect of the job is starting a class and seeing kids who've never played before and are nervous about playing. ‘And then after a few weeks, you see how much they've improved and how much more confidence they have in themselves.'

Jamie has made quite an impact on and off the pitch since arriving at Swords two seasons ago. He won the Second XV player of the year award last year and then switched from his second row berth into the backline, where he has made the First team. 'It's nice to start for the First team and I'm looking forward to the coming season. If things go our way and we play to our potential, then we have a real chance.' Jamie was appointed YDO in September and has undertaken two coaching courses in the meantime.

Now coaching six days a week and playing three, does he ever find it's a case of too much rugby?'No, I'm happy doing it and I enjoy it. It takes a bit of a while to get used it. But rugby is a game I love. It's a great opportunity for me to be involved with rugby on an everyday basis and with kids.
'I'm training to be a primary school teacher, so it's good practice.'

Swords RFC are also growing, with membership quadrupling in a matter of years at both ends of the age spectrum. A massive Mini rugby blitz is planned for November, which will see the next wave of youngsters taking up the sport in the town, while the club's youth sides are also flourishing.
‘There's definitely more interest with more kids coming up to the club,' Jamie continued.‘The Under-18s training is going very well and we're about to start our Under-16s and Under-14s too. ‘It's definitely going to take off. There's a lot of interest in the primary schools and I think the club is set to grown and grow in the coming years.'