Specsavers support helps local rugby club reach more schools and communities

OMAGH Rugby Club has said that financial support received from a local optician will help them expand their club to even more school children and communities across the area.

Specsavers Omagh has announced its sponsorship of Omagh Accies RFC for the 2024/25 seasons, which will help the club continue to deliver their schools development programme with their Rugby Development Officer, Darren McGuigan, who was appointed in 2020 and has seen the numbers in the club’s youth teams grow year on year.

Lee Pollock, vice-chair at the Omagh Academicals (Accies) Rugby Club said: “Omagh Accies RFC is run by a dedicated volunteer base who have an ambition to continue to build a successful club at all levels to grow the game of rugby in our town.

"This support from Specsavers Omagh will allow us to reach out to more schools and communities to ensure that youngsters have the opportunity to play the great sport of rugby.”

Emma Finn, retail director at Specsavers Omagh added: “Just as Omagh Accies have an ambition to make sport accessible for all in the community, we are here to make our expert care accessible and affordable for all.

“We are a local business in the town and therefore it is important to us to lend our support to local clubs and organisations and we are so impressed with the Accies facilities and the number of teams that provide ample opportunities for young people to get involved.”

The club has invested over £600,000 in improving its facilities over the past decade, while a second flood-lit pitch is in the pipeline for the future, alongside further enhancements to the clubhouse, something vice chair, Lee says would not be possible without the support of businesses in the town like Specsavers.

Lee added: “We currently have just shy of 700 members aged from six years old and up, who are playing, learning and supporting the game of rugby.

"We have four adult men’s teams, one adult women’s team, three youth boys’ teams, four youth girls’ teams and 150 mini-rugby players. We have a fully inclusive mindset which makes up the culture of our club.”

Very recent success for the club was the crowning of the talented Under 14 girls team as Ulster Champions at the beginning of February, while the Accies Men’s 1st XV have competed in the All-Ireland League since 2017.

Specsavers Omagh has been providing expert accessible eye and audiology care since opening 17 years ago, including prescription sports glasses and goggles for all ages.

Donna Harbison, ophthalmic director at the store added: “We know that a lot of children and young people who need to wear glasses are sometimes put off playing sports because of their spectacles.

"Our expert opticians can assess those customers and explain what might enhance their enjoyment on the field with our range of sports glasses and goggles, while also helping them understand the benefits of contact lenses, and ensuring they fully understand the importance of their eye health.

“Our partnership with the Omagh Accies Rugby Club will not only support their growth ambitions for the future, but we look forward to engaging even more with their member base to help them better understand their eye and audiology care needs.”

To book an appointment at Specsavers Omagh call 028 8225 7180 or visit Specsavers.co.uk/stores/Omagh