International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament
Cork, Ireland
6th to 10th June 2022
International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament
Cork, Ireland
6th to 10th June 2022
by Dave Cockburn, Clark MacLeod and Craig Brown
Through the offices of Penguin Charity Trustee Brian Cusack, an introduction to the organisers of the International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament (IMART) was made and a couple of meetings later the Penguin Rugby Trust was looking at ways to support the 2022 edition of this fine tournament.
The Penguin Rugby Trust approached the Penguin Coaching Academy to arrange for a couple of coaches to travel to Cork to support the event and supported the event through a donation to general tournament funds and through the covering of the expenses for the coaches. Dave Cockburn from Edinburgh and Clarkson MacLeod from Stourbridge answered the call and duly booked up to travel.
IMART 2022 consists of a 4 Day International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament which is took place at Irish Independent Park (IIP), Cork from Monday 6th, to Friday 10th June 2022. There were 24 Men’s teams participating and for the first time 4 Women’s teams. With over 1,000 players from 15 countries taking part, IMART2022 was a true international event.
The opening ceremony of the tournament was attended by senior Irish politicians and rugby personalities including the Taoiseach and Trustee Brian Cusack attend representing the Penguins.
Comment from Clark: "All in all, it was an amazing, and eye-opening, experience - one I certainly won't be forgetting about any time soon. I think there is a great opportunity there for Penguins to get onboard and heavily involved in future IMART festivals."
Comment from Dave: "I would say this was the most humbling thing I have ever done, with regards to the Penguins, and that includes being in India."
Matches were played Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with a down day on Wednesday dedicated to a number of events including coaching. This is where the Penguin Rugby Trust provided support to the event.
Other coaches involved supporting the teams were Ian McKinley (ex Italian player) and ex England fullback Les Cusworth.
The team from Edinburgh
