ALCOBENDAS

Malone vs Alcobendas

and

Encasing architecture

We are extremely proud to be supporting Malone RFC, who have played such a significant role in the rugby community both locally and nationally for over a century.

At this time, Walsin and Malone make a great team as both are aiming high; Malone on their rugby journey and Walsin experiencing unprecedented growth to become one of the largest facade companies in Ireland.

I have always had an interest in the sport, having played for my local club for many years and was delighted to be asked to get involved with Malone. Staff members regularly attend home and away games and there is a real buzz in the company around the club’s recent successes.

So far we have been delighted to play a small part in the club’s ongoing refurbishment programme and will continue to support Malone RFC as it goes forward.

Ian Sinclair, Managing Director,

Proud Sponsors of

Walsin Ltd.

Walsin Limited | Blaris Industrial Estate | Altona Road | Lisburn, BT27 5PU www.walsin.co.uk

Gibson Park, Gibson Park Avenue, Cregagh Road, Belfast. BT6 9GL Tel: 028 9045 7819 email: malonerfc@gmail.com web:www.malone-rfc.com

Executive Committee: Stuart Duncan Gerry Gibbons Mark Dowds Gary Brown David Heron Ken Campbell Gary Kirkpatrick Jonathan McAllister Michael Kearney Raymond Thomas

President: Gerry Gibbons Senior Vice President: Ken Campbell

Rugby Committee: Chair: Michael Kearney Vice-Chair: David Heron

Clubhouse and facilities: Mark Dowds

Secretary: Raymond Thomas Grounds: Gerry Gibbons

Programme and Social Media: Ken Campbell Advertising and sponsorship: Jonathan McAllister

Junior Vice President: Gary Kirkpatrick

Chairman: Stuart Duncan

Malone RFC proudly supports:

On Wednesday night we had a very successful evening with Australian rugby great David Campese.

The full house enjoyed a top class meal, followed by an entertaining Q&A with the man himself. The auction and heads and tails were also a success with some much needed club funds raised.

A large ‘thank you’ and ‘well done’ to everyone involved in this successful club venture.

The weekend continues our international theme with the visit of Alcobendes from Madrid, Spain.

What’s our Spanish connection? you may well ask - Garrett Curran played all his youth rugby at Malone for the Under 18s and 20 until he left for Cambridge

University. Work then took him to Europe and he has settled in Madrid and has become heavily involved in his local club, Alcobendas.

Through his friendship with his old playing buddy, Stuart Duncan, Garrett invited the Ulster 1999 and Ireland Legends to Alcobendas for a veterans tournament and last April they hosted our mini rugby primary seven squad and now, Garrett heads up a party of 30 senior players and takes part in the first adult game between the two clubs.

I must say, I am looking forward to a game with out the pressure of the All Ireland League, which resumes next Saturday against Highfield

We have a lot to be proud of at Malone. Good luck this weekend to everyone involved.

Up above ! Gerry

This week we have a slightly different focus at our our club as we welcome visitors from Spain and Australia.

Our visitors today -

This weekend we welcome Alcobendas Rugby Club to Gibson Park for two games, both on Friday evening. We kick off with an Under 13s game at 6.30 pm and then the Alcobendas veterans will take on a Malone select at 7.30 pm

On Saturday the squad will return to Malone for a celebration dinner at 5.30pm and a question and answer session with Chrs Henry before settling back to watch the Ireland and Australia game in the Burnison Hall at 8.00 pm. Malone player Garrett Curran is the link between the clubs. Many of you will remember Garrett from his days playing youth rugby at the club. He played for and captained our Under 18s and also played for our Under20s alongside Stuart Duncan, Chippy Baird, Michael Roberts, David Osborne and a host of others. He also went on to captain the Ulster Under 18 XV before heading off to Cambridge to further his academic career. Garrett also represented Cambridge University. Garrett is also a life member of Malone. A successful career in investment banking saw him becoming CEO of Credit Suisse bank and he is now domiciled in Madrid.

Garrett is keen to promote Spanish Rugby in any way he can and he recently hosted the Ulster 1999 and an Irish Legends squad to Alcobendas to play in a veterans tournament. Last year he hosted our Primary 7 squad to take part in a major tournament in the area

and next year we hope our 1st XV will visit for a pre season friendly.

Garrett leads a squad from Madird to Malone for the first time and we hope that they enjoy their say in Belfast and at Malone.

History

The club was established in 2003 by local fans from Alcobendas, and played its first ever season in División de Honor that year, occupying the place formally occupied by Moraleja.

Rugby in this area north of Madrid dates back to the 70s. Other past teams from Alcobendas includes Teca Rugby Club (1972-1990), Club España Urogallos (1979-1990), Alcobendas Rugby Club (1990-1999), Club de Rugby La Moraleja-El Soto (1990–1999), Moraleja Alcobendas Rugby Unión (1999-2003), Club Alcobendas Rugby (2003–).

In the summer of 2003, a group of fans of founded, the Alcobendas Rugby Club. Moraleja Alcobendas Rugby Unión gave up its competition rights to this new club and rugby in the Municipality was secured. The players, fans, Fundal (Alcobendas Sports Foundation), the Department of Sports and the Alcobendas City Council have ensured that Alcobendas will continue to have high-level rugby for a long time.

Garrett receives his life membership from Stuart Duncan at Alcobendas in April.

Garrett in his Under 18 days at Malone.

Alcobendas

Alcobendas

Primary 7 trip to Alcobendas

Proud to be Malone Mini Rugby main sponsor

Malone RFC is proud to support

The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity depends entirely on public donations and the support of our generous fundraisers.

All year round, our families, friends and supporters organise events and activities - from coffee mornings to gala balls, sponsored skydives to cookbooks, fun runs to 32 marathons in a row - all in aid of the Children’s Cancer Unit.

Donations can also be made online via our website at www.childrenscancerunit.com/support-us

We could not continue to assist the work of the Children’s Cancer Unit without your support. Please get in touch if you would like to help.