Budget supermarket Aldi will fund a grassroots rugby initiative in Ireland with the aspiration of attracting 100,000 children to the game by 2018.

It will provide investment to the Irish Rugby Football Union’s (IRFU) Play Rugby scheme, which already has 64,835 children taking part after launching in 2009.

Money from Aldi will help assist teachers, coaches and parents involved in rugby at primary school level to develop a rugby programme in their school. Equipment, tools and training courses for teachers, coaches and parents will also be funded.

The IRFU will provide 100 community rugby officers who will offer 63,000 hours of coaching support hours for teachers, coaches and parents, designed to coach children aged six to 14.

According to group managing director of Aldi Stores Ireland Giles Hurley, there are 116 rugby clubs within a 15-minute drive of the organisation’s 126 stores across Ireland.

“We hope by introducing children across Ireland to rugby through our programme, we will inspire the next generation to join their local clubs,” he added.

Stephen Hilditch, president of the IRFU, said: “Aldi’s support will enable the initiative to train and support more teachers around the country which in turn will result in more young people getting the opportunity to experience the game of rugby.”