'We’re learning to survive' - Pres rugby thriving in Global Schools Challenge tournament
PRES ON TOUR: The Pres squad with their family. Pic: Don Buckley.
For Presentation Brothers College rugby, it doesn’t get much bigger than this.
Pres are currently in Salou taking part in the Global Schools Challenge, an elite tournament which was created to “showcase the best in youth sports talent, bringing together teams from around the glove to compete,” according to its bio.
But Pres manager Ger Burke best describes what it’s like to the school and the players to be involved.
“We’re getting a bit of a lesson here, we’re learning to survive,” says Burke, who apologises for sounding a little hoarse following a busy few days in Spain, on and off the pitch.
“The games are passionate, I'll put it that way. Then there’s the down time in the evening, mixing with the parents, it’s been a good mix so far,” he laughs, before adding how grateful he is to have so many parents join the group.
“The parents’ support been so overwhelming. There was about 91 of us that went for dinner last night. There’s 34 of us (29 players and five coaches) and 50 plus parents.
“They’ve been remarkable, they’ve organised flags… they took a bag of jerseys to wash them. The first day we washed them we had to pay but the mothers were having none of it, they took them off us so they can wash them.
“It’s that kind of stuff we’re really embracing, it’s an unbelievable opportunity to make memories that these boys will have for the rest of their lives. It’s been special.”
And after two match days in this prestigious tournament, PBC have shown they’re not just competing. They’re thriving.
On Sunday morning, Pres faced the Southern Legion from South Africa in their opening game of the tournament and after Ronan Dillon got them on the scoreboard with an early try, Olan Healy completed the scoring in the 28-7 rout.
In their second game of the day though Pres fell to a 19-12 loss to an excellent Oakdale Landbou side.
“They would be pretty infamous for being the biggest, toughest school around. We had an absolutely almighty game against them,” continued Burke.
“We lost but it was an incredible match. It’s been the talk of the tournament really because of the physicality, intensity, etc.
“It’s wonderful to be able to play in games like that. It’s been a fabulous and unique experience.”
But after a rest day on Monday, they bounced back in style on Tuesday with a win against Rugby Travel Academy before they then defeated a talented Grey High 42-0.
Wednesday was another rest day, badly needed as the structure of the tournament sees the squad play a 15-minute a half fixture in the morning and a 30-minute a half fixture in the afternoon of these matchdays.
“This is probably the most gruelling format these boys can put themselves through,” insists Burke.
“These lads today (Wednesday) are sleeping, eating and getting in ice baths. That’s it. That’s all they’re doing. It’s not like it’s their day off so they’re down the beach or they’re go karting. It’s just crazy the amount of rugby they’re played so far.
“It’s full blooded, the scrums over here are on par with AIL (All Ireland league) scrums.”
And it’s not over yet. There’s one more matchday to come on Thursday which against consists of a shorter morning match (this time against an invitational side) before the main event in the afternoon.
“We have the biggest challenge of the week ahead of us. I was speaking with the tournament organiser a few months ago and he wanted to make sure that the draw would have us playing Grey College," said Burke, whose side could still win the competition with two more victories.
“Grey College would be…. There are very few schools that are known worldwide from a rugby point of view, maybe three or four, but Grey College are certainly one.
“They’re the best team here, they’re an incredibly impressive outfit. They carry themselves well, they wear full uniform with blazers, they’re a proper, traditional South African school.
“A litany of Springboks have come from there. They’re big, they’re physical, they move the ball well, they play rugby like the South Africa seniors do so it’s going to be a huge challenge, but we just can’t wait.
“Winning the tournament would obviously be great but the exposure and the experience to play a side like Oakdale say, there’s nobody at home like them.
“And Grey College… they’re different. The games at home are fantastic because of the tradition and different aspects, but this is different.
“It’s just an absolutely incredible experience, opportunity for our boys to get stuck into these lads.”
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