Navan start with trip to the seaside in Sligo

Navan RFC will kick-off their AIL Div 2B campaign with a trip to Sligo in what is sure to prove a difficult assignment in the north west. The opening game of the AIL Div 2B season will take Navan to the seaside resort of Strandhill near Sligo on Saturday 29th September. Sligo were promoted to senior rugby for last season and consolidated their place comfortably despite a defeat when they visited Navan last year. The Balreask Old side finished at the lower end of the table last season and they will be hoping to improve considerably on that showing this time around. The Div 2B campaign includes teams that Navan have become very familiar with over the years including near neighbours Boyne. Navan have experienced little joy in their trips up north in recent seasons and once again they face daunting assignments against Instonians, Rainey Old Boys, Armagh and Ards. Also scheduled into their programme are lengthy trips deep into the heartlands of Munster rugby against the likes of Clonakilty, Sunday's Well, Nenagh and Thomond. Navan will once more be guided by coach Leon Jordaan (pictured) this season, his third term in charge, and it is expected that the team will be bolstered by a number of new faces. Ashbourne RFC are holding an open day this Sunday 9th September, 12.0 when they are inviting people from the area to visit the club's facilities and meet members of the club. The open day is part of a Leinster Rugby initiative aimed at improving the participation of local people in rugby clubs throughout the province. Ashbourne is the only Meath club involved in the initiative. Each club's open day is aimed at showcasing the social and sporting side and encouraging those who would like to get involved in coaching, playing, supporting or volunteering. "We're hoping for a big attendance across Leinster in each club to help kick off the new season and encourage interest in rugby," said Leinster Rugby official Philip Lawlor. "Every club's success is down to the support of its players, club volunteers and match supporters and we hope to grow that support across Leinster with our open days." This season Ashbourne will field J1 and J2 teams as well a selection in the McGee Cup, which will be held on Friday nights. The club is also aiming to develop their u-19 and u-21 teams as well as their youth and minis. Newcomers to each age division are welcome. Another club looking to broaden its pool of players is North Meath RFC. They have sent out an invitation to players of all ages and abilities to join their ranks. Formed in 2007, North Meath RFC has already enjoyed considerable success at all age levels - and now they are looking to recruit new players, particularly at senior grade. The club currently has seven teams playing rugby and weekly pre-season training sessions for the senior team are held every Wednesday, 7.0 at the club's home ground in The Grange near Kells. The mini-rugby section features teams at u-8, u-10 and u-12 levels. Children learn all the basic skills of rugby in a fun and safe environment under the supervision of fully trained and accredited rugby coaches. The youth rugby section has teams in the u-13, u-15 and u-17 age categories. North Meath RFC has been very successful in a short space of time. Last season the u-13s won the Leinster Div 2 title, while the u-17s team scooped the North East Shield. The senior team plays in the J1 Div 3 of the Leinster League and they have won the McGee Cup in 2009, the Anderson Cup in 2010 and the Provincial Seconds Towns Cup in 2011. The club is now seeking to continue its run by recruiting new players at all age levels - but it particularly needs more adults. No experience is required - just energy and enthusiasm according to club officials. Newcomers simply have to turn up at a training session or contact the relevant team co-ordinator for details on how to get involved. Contact: www.northmeathrugby.com; www.facebok.com/NorthMeathRFC; PRO Philip Kiernan - (087) 1411619; senior team co-ordinator - Jack Kenny (087) 2354010; youths team co-ordinator - Iain Doogan (087) 6780300. Athboy RFC will host a mini-rugby session for boys and girls this Saturday, 11.0, contact Owen Kerrane at (087) 9883446. Training for u-13, u-15 and u-17 teams every Thursday, 6.30 contact Fergus O'Boyle (087) 1527339.