Staff and pupils of a small Donegal school have combined teamwork and ambition to scoop €50,000 in a nationwide competition.
Scoil Naomh Treasa in Clonmany were the lucky winners of this year’s Aldi Play Rugby sticker competition for primary schools.
The national school was one of two winners to be awarded the top prize of €50,000 to give their sports facilities a makeover.
Pupils from Scoil Treasa, Tiernasligo, Co. Donegal alongside former Ireland and Ulster Rugby Player Chris Henry and Brigid McGonagle (School Principal). ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
The prize was well-earned too, as the pupils worked together over the past four months to collect 300 Irish rugby stickers to complete their entry poster.
Former Ulster Rugby Player Chris Henry recently surprised the pupils of Scoil Naomh Treasa to present them with their prize.
Pupils from Scoil Treasa, Tiernasligo, Co. Donegal alongside former Ireland and Ulster Rugby Player Chris Henry. ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
Brigid McGonagle, Principal of Tiernasligo NS said: “We have achieved this win by teamwork, just like a rugby team, our small school Tiernasligo National School (Scoil Naomh Treasa), Urris which is a focal point in our Community have won €50,000 by believing that together we could win, by filling in posters with IRFU/Aldi stickers.
“This is a beautiful, memorable time for our school and we will use the fund wisely. Thanks to our dedicated, hard working staff, Board of Management and the parents of our school and Go raibh míle maith agaibh Aldi Play Rugby.”
Pupils from Scoil Treasa, Tiernasligo, Co. Donegal alongside former Ireland and Ulster Rugby Player Chris Henry, as well as Seamus McDermott (Store Manager Aldi Buncrana), Brigid McGonagle (School Principal) and John Curtin (Group Buying Director, Aldi Ireland). ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
A host of additional prizes was on offer in the Aldi Play Rugby sticker competition.
Scoil Baile An Caislean in St Johnston also won €2,500 worth of training equipment.
Each primary school that submitted a valid poster will receive an Aldi Play Rugby kit bag which includes rugby balls, water bottles and water bottle holders per completed poster. Due to the success of the campaign, Aldi will be sending out over 16,000 rugby balls and over 24,000 water bottles to primary schools across the country.
Celebrations at Scoil Treasa, Tiernasligo. ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson