How to pick the right Kids Rugby Boots

Posted on July 13, 2022 at 1:01 pm.

Are you looking to find the right pair of kids rugby boots for your child or children?

The new season is just upon us so knowing what to buy is important.

As Official Sports Retailer of the IRFU, we love our rugby, so that’s why we’ve created this guide to picking the right kids rugby boots for you.

We’ll discuss what features to look out for, sizing, some of the brands, tips on measuring feet and also answer ‘can kids wear soccer boots for rugby?’.

Kids Rugby Boots: Features

Making sure your kids rugby boots have some important features can really help your child, as well as saving you money.

Things to look out for:

Studs

Because of a lot of amateur rugby is played during the Autumn/Winter, the ground tends to be mucky and slippy.

So making sure your child has good traction is essential.

For soft ground, your child will need at least six metal studs, which help in transitions, scrums, breakdowns and more.

Rugby boots have a longer stud than soccer or football boots too, which is what sets them apart.

Mesh Lining

A mesh lining makes sure your little one’s feet can breathe while a one piece high scuff resistant PU upper provides essential durability and abrasion resistance to last then through a long rugby season.

Shock attenuating properties help to reduce strain to their lower limbs so they can always play at maximum power with less risk of injury.

Cushioning

There is a lot of potential for strain to ankles in rugby, so plenty of cushioning will provide ample protection.

It will also ensure maximum comfort for your child.

Style

There’s quite the different in requirements for backs and forwards in rugby, so their boots vary too.

For example, backs will prefer a lighter, more nimble boot to focus on speed and footwork.

Forwards will need a tougher, more secure boot with protection and grip in abundance.

Kids Rugby Boots: Sizing

Rugby boots should be as snug without contacting the toes as possible at the foot’s end.

Women’s sizing, on the other hand, differs from conventional shoe sizing and is roughly one and a half sizes smaller. For instance, a woman wearing a size 9 regular shoe should wear a size 7.5 rugby boot.

The size of the person’s feet will determine the boot size that is selected. But when purchasing rugby boots, a 1-inch space between the foot and the boot is excellent.

Rugby boots come in a variety of sizes, from junior to adult. Please compare the size charts provided with the specific items.

The same applies to kids.

Can kids wear football boots in rugby?

In a nutshell: yes.

Football boots are constructed with speed and agility in mind, whereas rugby boots are made with the need for power and stability in mind.

As a result, rugby boots are frequently bigger, have elevated heels, have more and larger studs, and have an ankle cut that is higher.

However, there are also a few more complex points to consider. Football boots are frequently worn by rugby backs players because their positions call for a lot of agility and kicking.

This explains why some rugby players favour football boots.

For rugby forwards, whose needs are extremely different, this is less true.

Consider the force and weight that a front row forward experiences when in a scrum.

It is crucial that they have a solid foundation from which to push, which is why they need bigger boots with more and larger studs than soccer boots.

How to measure kids feet?

If you’re not sure how to measure your kids’ feet at home, we can help.

Check out this blog on how to do it.

Or call in-store where our Sports Advisors will only be delighted to help.

Conclusion

We hope this guide helped your journey in finding the right kids rugby boots.

We’ve got some amazing offers from all the top brands on our site.

Check them out below.

6 Top Tips on How to Run Injury Free

Posted on July 11, 2022 at 8:54 am.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Injuries can be the bane of one’s life, so figuring out how to run injury free is vital to long-term success.

Mind you, it can be very difficult to stay injury free throughout your life. However, doing the right things consistently overtime will seriously increase your chances.

Control the controllables as it is said.

Don’t worry if you do get injured, some studies show that overall injury prevalence is quite high in runners.

These tips will help you to know how to run injury free and stay injury free.

6 Tips on How to Run Injury Free

Stretch, stretch and do more stretching!

Stretching both before and after a run is crucial for injury prevention.

Dynamic stretching techniques include walking, a light jog, butt kicks, side shuffles, walking lunges, and high knees. After performing the dynamic stretches, you can try some of the more conventional static (stretch-and-hold) stretches if you’re still feeling tight.

Static stretches for the quads, glutes, calves, hamstrings, and hip flexors are recommended after your run. You can become incredibly tight if you’ve spent the day driving or sitting at a desk.

Before going for a run, those muscles need to be warmed up.

Check out our blog on a post and pre run warm down here! with Irish Sprint Hurdler Sarah Quinn.

Do More Strength Training

Running is brilliant but it is also taxing on the body. It positively stresses the body in so many different ways and can even help you develop the muscles in your legs.

However, any muscle imbalances you might have from running will start to seriously hamper you over time, so strength training will crease these out and get you performing better.

Your running kinetic chain is made up of your feet, lower legs, knees, hips, lower back, core, arms, and shoulders.

If one link isn’t functioning properly, it will have an impact on the rest of the chain.

You’ll run faster and avoid injuries if you maintain good flexibility throughout the entire chain and strengthen all the weak links.

We’re not talking becoming a body builder, just some basic exercise will help.

Get Correct Running Shoes

This might sound basic, but it’s probably the most important tip.

You want running shoes that fit well, are suited to your foot and natural stride, and are comfortable.

Try to avoid using your running shoes for work etc because this can take the freshness out of them. Generally running shoes last around 550-800km.

Having more than one pair will really help you too.

You can call in-store in Elverys to get your feet balanced and check out our wide range of running shoes.

Recover, Recover, Recover

Whether it’s a stretch, a good sleep or rolling out, recovery between runs is crucial.

Our bodies are not machines. They need time to rest and reoperate before you stress it again and if that is not incorporated in your training, then injuries can follow.

Numerous studies demonstrate the significance of sleep for maintaining good physical and mental health, including immune system function, mood, creativity, memory, focus, and cognition.

Our blog with ASICS Frontrunner Grace Lynch will explain more.

Stay Hydrated

Maintaining proper hydration is essential for preventing muscle cramps.

Depleted electrolytes are more likely to occur if you are already dehydrated before starting your run or if you get dehydrated while running.

Your muscles must have potassium (an electrolyte) in order to relax after they have contracted.

Calves, quads, and/or hamstring cramping are more likely to occur if you start your run with low potassium levels or if you lose potassium through sweating while running and don’t rehydrate.

Find your Pace

Don’t over-do it!

We’re not all Olympic level runners, so don’t expect to be beating your times and improving every single time you go out.

Set realistic goals for yourself and slowly work towards achieving them. Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Learning how to calculate your running speed might help?

Always train or compete at your current skill level and work your way up to a more demanding level.

When you first start out, don’t be scared to join a sports team or an exercise group that is intermediate or novice level.

For instance, if you’re training for a marathon but have never run before, consider signing up for a run/walk club to establish a training base.

Conclusion

Our Ultimate Guide to Running might help you with information on how to get started?

There’s also loads more advanced running tips for you to check out in that blog.

Check out our Running category below for some amazing products and deals.

Win a round at St. Andrews in Westport Open AmAm 2022

Posted on July 6, 2022 at 4:11 pm.

Written by Intersport Elverys

The Westport Golf Club Open AmAm 2022, now open for entries, offers a unique opportunity to win a once in a lifetime trip to St Andrews in Scotland to play at the Home of Golf with two nights accommodation. Nine other Green Fee Prizes at top rated Irish courses are on offer as well.

This is an AmAm with a difference – your team can qualify for the Westport Open AmAm Champions Final on 3rd September by playing on your Home Golf Course or any Course of your choice between 1st May and the 31st July 2022. The Top 20 teams who qualify for the Westport Open AmAm Champions Final will compete for the Top 10 Prizes at the renowned Championship Golf Course in Westport.

This Westport Golf Club Fundraising Event will generate funds which will be ring fenced to convert the club’s current greens to sand-based greens over the next number of years.

Intersport Elverys has free places up for grabs for this competition, so follow the instructions on our post to learn how to get yourself a free entry. For the latest in golf apparel and accessories, visit Elverys.ie or visit your local Intersport Elverys.

Speaking at the official launch, The Westport Golf Club Captain, Tom Mulqueen commented, “Westport Golf Club are excited to officially launch our 2022 AmAm Event. This will be an AmAm with a difference – qualifying teams will register their team online, play on their home course or any course of their choice between May and July 2022 and then upload their signed scorecard to our website. The top 20 teams will qualify for the Westport Open AmAm Champions Final on 3rd September 2022. The Prizes on offer are outstanding and we would hope to attract golfers from all over the UK and Ireland to play.”

In recent years, Golf has become the sport of choice for so many young amateur golfers both male and female, it’s one of the more positive side effects of Covid 19.

“The sport is no contact and is played outdoors lending itself to a safe and fun environment, which is why we were so delighted to welcome four of Ireland’s top social media influencers to the Westport club today,” Mulqueen added. “Alan Clarke, Kieran O’Malley, Ally McGinn and Louise Coady helped us launch the Westport AmAm 2022 with the first round in the competition.”

Westport Golf Club Ladies Captain, Abina O’Flynn, said: “It’s an ambitious fundraising project for the club – the prizes are fabulous, but the real beauty about this AmAm is that teams can qualify by playing on their own home Golf Course or a course of their choice! All for €200 per Team of four.”

Along with the top prize of a 4 ball at St. Andrews with 2 x nights accommodation, there are nine other fabulous Golf Prizes to be won:

2nd Prize: 4 x ball at Adare Manor (Ryder Cup Venue)
3rd Prize: 4 x ball at Royal County Down
4th Prize: 4 x ball at Portmarnock GC
5th Prize: 4 x ball at Rosses Point
6th Prize: 4 x ball at K Club
7th Prize: 4 x ball at The Island GC
8th Prize: 4 x ball at Carne GC
9th Prize: 4 x ball at Connemara GC
10th Prize: 4 x ball at Malahide GC
11th-20th Prizes: 4 x ball at Westport GC

Teams of four, from anywhere in the UK or Ireland can enter now.

REGISTER YOUR TEAM HERE / Entry Fee is €200 per team.

Corporate Packages also available.

For more information, CLICK HERE or contact Karen at Westport Golf Club at +353 98 28262.

Ultimate Guide to School Bags for Girls

Posted on July 5, 2022 at 10:55 am.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Back to school is nearly upon us and finding school bags for girls is not always the easiest job.

But don’t worry, we’ve compiled this ultimate guide to make your life that bit easier.

We will show you some of our wide ranging stock of girls school bags with price in mind, durability, and also the most stylish school bags for girls.

We’ve got something for everyone.

Check out our blog on some of the most important things to consider when buying a school bag right HERE.

School Bags for Girls: Buying Tips

Some of the most important aspects to buying the right school bag for your girl are:

Size: we know from experience that bigger is not always better in this instance. Don’t forget that bags are measured in litres too.

We recommend below 24l for primary school and above 24l for secondary.

Compartments: You want space to hold water bottles, pencil cases, a lunchbox, maybe a laptop or tablet.

So look out for these.

Material: It’s a long year and school bags will go through the works with excited girls, so you need good-quality material!

Don’t forget some comfortable straps too!

School Bags for Girls: Most compartments

For all-round versatility, you can’t beat Jansport.

They are large, have many compartments and are arguably the most stylish school bags.

These are 34l capacity, have a laptop holder and multiple pockets, which may be more suitable to girls in secondary school.

School Bags for Girls: Best for Price

For a solid, stylish and budget friendly school bag, the Nike Element can’t be beaten.

A dual zipper main compartment gives loads of storage, padded shoulder straps for support and a haul hoop to carry in hand.

At 19 litres and available in a wide variety of colours at a great price, you can’t look past it.

Most Durable

The Under Armour Hustle school bag is built for durability.

So for those more active girls, this water resistance and stain resistant finished school bag is really popular.

It has strong straps, plenty of pockets for valuables and a laptop and comes in many colours.

Premium Option

With a 31L capacity, The North Face Sunder Backpack is a spacious, streamlined pack you can take pretty much anywhere.

At 31.5 litres it is one of the bigger options, and one of the more expensive, but you are buying serious quality.

The backpack features a padded sleeve to protect your laptop or tablet from bumps and falls and sports a stand-up design to keep items securely inside.

Conclusion

If none of these tickle your fancy, then check out our full range of school bags for girls below.

We’ve got brands like adidas, Puma and some Manchester United, Liverpool and Republic of Ireland schools bag for all those sports obsessed girls