Irish Rugby ask Clubs for Facilities for Ukrainian Relief Programme

Following a letter from Jack Chambers, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht, the IRFU is encouraging all clubs to review the facilities they may have available across the country to assist the Government in providing immediate temporary emergency accommodation for refugees from Ukraine.

Following receipt of the request from Minister Chambers, on Friday, the IRFU met with all Provincial CEOs, who have collectively agreed to ask that any rugby club facilities that may be available for the relief effort, are made available.

The IRFU will host a short information webinar tomorrow to provide further information on Government’s request and to encourage clubs to stand Shoulder to Shoulder with Ukraine.

Kevin Potts, IRFU CEO, said: "The IRFU, GAA and FAI had a call with Department and Local Authority officials yesterday where the urgency of what is happening was brought home and our immediate response was ‘how can we help?’.

"Working together we hope Rugby can help in some small way, those fleeing Ukraine to Ireland. Not every club will have the facilities and indeed not every facility that is offered will be deemed suitable, but I am hopeful that clubs with facilities will contact their local authorities, as per the Government’s request.

"Irish people have been phenomenal in raising funding so far, and we are fully endorsing the request from Government to see how and where we can assist further."