west dublin
bears
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West Dublin
Bears Rugby League
W
est Dublin Bears is a club that has been making tremendous over the past five years and has become a terrific
example of an inclusive, community establishment. We caught up with their Chairman Wayne Finnerty who
took the time to tell us more about the progress they have been making.
Involvement
The Club
He told us, “I have been involved with
West Dublin Bears for the past five years
since we changed over our name from
Ballyfermot Bears. The reason for our
name change was to open up interest for
players from two other clubs in Dublin
(West Tallaght Tigers and Clondalkin)
which had ceased to be.
The attraction I had for joining the team
was mainly out of curiosity for the game
and for the fun side of playing with
friends that where already playing. As
an area not known for rugby of any kind
to me it was a chance to try a new sport I
had never known anyone to play or had
any knowledge of. I soon found out how
much of a team sport rugby league was
and how hard of a competition playing
against other teams was. This along with
making some strong bonds of friendship
and brotherhood made me love the game
more and more and made begin a Bear an
honour.”
“We are the only rugby league team in
Ireland that is associated with no union
team and has been built up over the years
from a very simple grass roots beginning.
We have had to struggle with things
that most, if not all clubs we compete
against would not even have to consider
worrying about. As the team is based in
Ballyfermot West Dublin we play and
train in Markeivicz Park which is our local
public park. The only pitch available to us
is an unused G.A.A. pitch.
Funding has always been a real challenge
for the club as we rely on the generosity
of our sponsors from year to year. Most
of whom are all local businesses who
are happy to be part of the Bears playing
rugby league in Ballyfermot. Our main
sponsor for the past two years has been
Decies County Bar. The local pub just
situated close to the park. Without the
help from them I don’t think it would have
been possible to keep the team going.
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Over the years our local support at games
has grown from a few family members
coming down to cheer along their own
husband, son or brother to now having
a solid crowd of young and old alike
coming to watch us play and enjoy the
sport of rugby league.”
Atmosphere
“The mood at the club is always a great
one as we all seem to enjoy playing the
game and the bond that builds is strong.
The last two years for The Bears has
been great. Along with our ever growing
addition of new members we also had
the added honour of our former club
chairman Conor Kelly not only becoming
coach of the Ireland Under 19s Rugby
League team but also going on to secure a
job with Coventry Bears.
As our season is now over we can start
preparing for our end of season awards
and going to support our fellow Bears
playing for Ireland at all levels. Then it