Lotto online could be a major boost for Navan rugby club

Navan RFC officially launched their new online lotto prior to the AIL Div 3 clash against Instonians before Christmas. Minister Noel Dempsey TD was on hand to launch the club's new fundraising venture and to buy the first ticket for the lotto online. Minister Dempsey commended Navan RFC on their "great work in the community" and wished the club the best for the coming year. Navan RFC's Paul Algar, who is also one of the club's vice-presidents, says that the lotto is an important way for the Balreask Old outfit to raise funds. "Our new lotto is very important to the club for the future," he told the Meath Chronicle. "It is an extremely easy service to use. People can just log into www.navanrfc.ie and enter their numbers, email address and payment details. "Each week each lotto player will receive an e-mail with the selected lotto numbers for that week, any winners and club news about club games and events. "The system is fully secure, transparent and compliant which is also very important." He explained that the real benefit for the club was to reach former players and members who have moved away from the area and want to give their support. "The internet is growing all the time and clubs need to be aware of the potential that is available via the web and we urge all members to join up for a chance to win the jackpot," he added. For more information visit www.locallotto.ie or www.navanrfc.ie Local rugby enthusiasts can look forward to hectic schedule of games for the Balreask Old side during January as they strive to collect sufficient points to keep them away from the AIL Div 3 departure zone in their first season in senior rugby. Already Navan have played seven games at senior level since they kicked-off their debut season with a resounding victory over Co Carlow on Saturday, 3rd October. They followed that with their first home game in the AIL Div 3 against Naas on Saturday, 10th October. That produced another victory and had Navan perched at the top of the table, but since then they have been in free-fall with five successive defeats. They lost at home to Midelton and Instonians and away to Suttonians, Queens University and their last outing before Christmas brought an injury-time defeat by Nenagh Ormond. They will be back in action on Saturday, 9th January against Ards, a team below them in the table. This will be a must-win game for Navan and the club are hoping that local supporters will come out in large numbers and provide some much-needed vocal encouragement to help them across the line and break the losing sequence. Three of Navan's five defeats have been against teams that will be pushing for the title. It is well within the team's capabilities to maintain their senior status in their debut season and keep Navan and Meath firmly on the rugby map. Forthcoming games (all 2.30) Saturday, 9th January - Navan v Ards. Saturday, 16th January - Rainey Old Boys v Navan. Saturday, 23rd January - Navan v Wanderers. Saturday, 30th January - Sunday's Well v Navan. Saturday, 20th February - Navan v Barnhall. Saturday, 6th March - Connemara v Navan. Saturday, 27th March - Navan v Portadown. Saturday, 10th April - Banbridge v Navan.