Wash Plant Coordinator Richie Dalton’s journey with rugby began when he was just seven years old, when he joined the local rugby team back home in Ireland. Fast forward a few years and Richie is now playing for local Hampshire team, Eastleigh Pirates 

Richie’s rugby career really took off when he was just twelve years old and earned himself a sporting scholarship to secondary school. He played rugby all throughout his school days, playing cup rugby and Representing Leinster U15/U16’s. 

As with many keen sportspeople, injuries began to accumulate in his late teens – medial ligament damage in the knee, torn ligaments in right ankle and damaged ligaments in the left ankle, bruised hips and torn cartilage in right knee for which he needed surgery; you’d think at this point Richie would hang up his rugby boots, but alas… 

Fast forward finishing school, graduating university, travelling around Asia and Australia and a relocation to England and the rugby bug was back! 

Richie got in contact with Eastleigh Pirates in December 2022 and told them he would be available from January 2023. He hasn’t looked back since and is now looking to help Eastleigh Pirates to a successful 23/24 season – hopefully helping the team gain a bit of silverware and a promotion by the start of next year.

With his sheer grit and determination, it was an easy decision for Waltet to sponsor their star wash plant coordinator. We wish him the very best of luck and send positive vibes for a no-injury season at Eastleigh Pirates RFC!

Richie comments “Many thanks to Waltet for the sponsorship. Sponsorships are vital for the operation of the rugby club and they fund everything from buses, kit, equipment to getting the pitch cut. Eastleigh is a family club and Waltet’s logo will be shown on the screens in the clubhouse bar on matchdays. VIP lunch tickets are also included in the Player Sponsorship so I look forward to inviting some of the Waltet team down to watch me play!”