On Wednesday 25th May 2005 a new rugby and French scholarship was presented for the first time to a High School student.
The ‘Roger Cleary Rugby and French Scholarship’ has been established by Kieran Cleary & Co. Solicitors in memory of the late Mr. Roger Cleary who taught in the High School for many years and retired in 1964.
The recipient of the inaugural scholarship was 5th Year student Richard Power from Powerstown. Richard plays full back on the High School senior rugby team and was delighted to receive the scholarship.
Richard spent ten days in August at the French Sports and Language Centre in Soustons in the south west of France, near Biarritz. He received professional rugby coaching and tuition in French for the duration of his stay.
The centre boasts sports facilities of the highest quality and is used by international teams. As well as rugby, Richard also had the opportunity to partake in numerous other activities including surfing, sailing and mountain biking.
The following is Richard’s account of his time in France:
“On the morning of 18th August I set off for Dublin airport. I met with the other 16 Irish students and we flew to Biarritz. The flight took a little over an hour and a half. Upon arrival we had a two-hour bus journey to our HQ in Soustons. I was taken aback by the amazing facilities: a gym; a soccer pitch; two rugby pitches; canoeing facilities; sail boats and more! After the introductions, we finished off our long day with a game of touch rugby and then retired to our tents. I shared a twelve-man tent with six other guys from Ireland and England.
At 7.30 the next morning we were called for breakfast. Afterwards, we were brought to the classrooms. After a basic French understanding test, we were divided up into our French classes.
At 10.45 we went for our first proper rugby training session. We began with handling and passing drills under the supervision of Nigel Osborne and Billy Davison. This was followed by fitness training for half an hour until we broke for lunch.
The food had its good days and its bad days. The French like their cheese and fish while the Irish (as they found out) were not too keen on these foods. However, the daily three course meals kept us satisfied, while the rugby training and matches kept us in shape.
We started our second rugby session by dividing up into teams for the week. We began with 7-a-side, progressed to 10-a-side and then finished off our week with 15-a-side. The coaching was fantastic and the methods we learned really work.
When we weren’t playing rugby or learning French we were surfing, sailing or kayaking during the day. We received professional lessons for each sport and had a great time on the lake. During the week we also spent time at a water theme park and at the beach.
At night we had lots to do, everything from DVDs to markets, from rugby games to bull rings. On the final night we were treated to a fireworks display.
On our final day we flew home from Lourdes and arrived in Dublin at 4.30pm.
I really enjoyed myself and made lots of friends. The rugby was brilliant and I would advise anyone who is interested to apply for the scholarship next year. I would like to thank the Cleary family and the High School for providing me with this wonderful experience.”
- Richard Power.
The ‘Roger Cleary Rugby and French Scholarship’ is open to High School students in 5th Year who study French, and who played and continue to play rugby for the school. The scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis following an interviewing process. Details of the 2006 scholarship will be available from the school in January.
It is envisaged the scholarship will encourage more and more students to appreciate the importance of languages and team sports in the High School.
Mr. Kieran Cleary presenting the scholarship to Richard Power in May 2005. |