Monster Skills Monday?!

Hey all, hope everyone had a great Christmas and are looking forward to a good new year! Now I know we're a day late getting this up but better late than never and after all that turkey and Christmas pud we thought a couple of you might be hitting the gym so we'd give you something to keep you busy there!
This week the skills video is focussing on fast feet which helps your SAQ (Speed Agility Quickness). No matter what position you are this is relevant so give it a go!

Now don't worry if you don't have a ladder- you can always work on fast feet even if you don't have one. You can either visualise one and try to get your steps into 'rungs' or alternatively you can draw one onto concrete/tarmac with chalk. Every little bit helps so get climbing!

Monster Skills Monday!

First of all Happy Monday to everyone! One of our new features is "Monster Skills Monday!"- every Monday a new video on skills will be posted that you can try out during your own time and/or before or after training during the week. The aim of this is to improve our skills and to have a bit of fun! Some of the skills might seem a little basic but even if you take one tiny little thing out of it it can make a world of difference. Hopefully come the end of the season we'll be able to do something like this:

So our first video is a little bit of handling. Get the family off the sofa and out into the garden to work off the christmas dinner or grab a few friends together at any stage over the holidays to have a go at this.

If the bad weather means running is not an option even doing some static passing and catching (eyes closed if you're feeling brave!) will all help! Or another good option is 2-ball if you can get two or more other people. This will help you work on your reactions, your peripheral vision and concentration as well as your handling.

Have fun!

Leinster V Munster Women's Interpro Match on Saturday 18th

The Interpro match that was postponed due to the bad weather between Leinster and Munster has been refixed for this Saturday the 18th with a 1pm kick off in Donnybrook. The winner of this match will take the Interprovincial title and with four St. Mary's players involved in the matchday squad and free admission there is no excuse not to get down and support the girls in blue!

Three St. Mary's Players Named in Irish Squad

Three St. Mary's players have been named in the Irish Women's squad for the upcoming Six Nations competition. This is a great honour for the club and signifies real development for the women's team as this is the largest contingent that they have ever had in an Irish squad.

 Michelle Ross in action for Leinster in their recent Interpro match against Ulster

St. Mary’s and Leinster team-mates Orla Fitzsimons, Gill Nolan and Michelle Ross have been named in the 34 player Irish Training Squad. Nolan and Ross were named in the Irish squad last season. Nolan was unfortunate to miss out on the camps however, as she sustained an injury shortly after selection which ruled her out of the Six Nations campaign. Ross lined out in a Presidents XV against Scotland and was unlucky to miss out on inclusion in the match-day squads. While for Fitzsimons it is her first time in the squad.

This selection is due reward for the hard work put in by players with Province and club this season and over previous seasons. It also signifies the backing players receive from the club both from a coaching point of view and in a developmental sense. The recent disappointment of the postponement of the third round and final of the Interprovincial Competition due to bad weather was in some way eased as the players learnt of their inclusion in the Irish squad. Preparations for the Six Nations include training camps at weekends from now until the competition kicks off in February. The Irish team will host France and England in Ashbourne RFC and will travel to Italy, Scotland and Wales. Full fixtures and the latest news can be found at http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/women/172.phpN

 

Top 5 Ways of Keeping Fit During the Snowy and Icy Conditions

At first the snow is a bit of a novelty but as a few days pass and you start to miss getting your regular fitness fix you realise you need to do something instead of your pre-snow pitch training...

Because of the Big Freeze going on outside which has led to snow covered pitches, treacherous driving conditions and mayhem to training routines we have decided to post some ideas on how to keep fit during these anti-outdoor sports times!

5. At number five it's: Clearing your driveway! Ok so it may not sound glamorous but it is definitely a workout! Grab a friend and have a competition to see who can clear their half quickest. But remember bend the knees not the back!

4. In at four it's: Go tobogganing! While the slippery sliding down may be unadulterated fun, trudging back up dragging a sled-like device behind you is a good workout. But despite it being hard work, the moment you get back up to the top you'll want to do it all over again!

3. Just into the top three it's: Use your home as a gym! No braving it out in the cold necessary! Lots can be done at home with things you'd find around the house from tricep dips off chairs to elevated push ups to bicep curls with tinned goods! And don't forget all the ab exercises which need no equipment! 

2. Just pipped to the top spot, in at number two: Build a snowman/snowwoman/snowrugbyplayer! Hefting around great piles of snow will certainly work up a good appetite! Keep at it and create a whole snow rugby team to ensure your fitness is being tested to the max!

1. And top of our list for a combined fun and cardiovascular workout: Have a snowball fight! Find a big patch of grass that's safe to run around on and let loose! Round up some friends and show the kids how it's done!

Published in The Echo!

Check out our published article in The Echo below or at www.echo.ie 

St. Mary’s Women’s Open Day Postponed

Unfortunately due to the bad weather and the road conditions we have had to postpone our Women’s Open Day due to take place on Saturday 4^th December. We have every hope of rescheduling this for the near future so please keep an eye on our blog or email us at stmaryswomensrugby@gmail.com for more information.

Open Day Still On!

Plans for the Open Day are well underway and come rain, hail, sleet or snow (though we hope it will be more pleasant than that!) it will be going ahead! Keep checking back in for more details.
The Open Day will take place from 2-4pm with afters in the Club bar! Remember- bring all of your friends, the more the merrier!

Coming Soon...

Keep checking back to see some of our new features on the blog- details of which are soon to be released!
You can also follow the blog by clicking the 'Follow' button on the right or by following stmaryswomensrugby@gmail.com in Google Buzz.

Third Round of Interpros This Weekend

Check out our very own Michelle Ross in the preview poster for the Interpro match between Leinster and Munster this Sunday at 12.30pm in Donnybrook!

Open Day 4th December

St. Mary's Women's Rugby

Welcome to the new blog for St. Mary's Women's Rugby!
Details on events and matches as well as articles and match reports will be posted up here in the near future.

For now have a look at our "About Us" page or you can contact us on stmaryswomensrugby[at]gmail.com if you have any questions.