Ulster Rugby Annual Report 2016-17

Patterson we offer our thanks and appreciation for all their efforts, and wish them well in the future. Also departing, after many years service, are Allen Clarke and Neil Doak. Both have made tremendous contributions to Ulster, initially as players, but more recently in a coaching capacity. Clarky, who was capped eight times by Ireland, played for Northampton before returning to Ulster in 1998 and was a member of the victorious European Cup side in 1999. Having retired from playing, he was assistant coach when Ulster won the Celtic League title in 2006. He was instrumental in setting up the Ulster Rugby Academy, and has been assistant coach to the senior team since 2014. We wish him well in his roll with the Ospreys next season. Doaky first played for Ulster in 1995, and went on play seventy six times in his ten years as a player. Although he never won an Irish cap, he was a member of the 2002 Six Nations and 2003 World Cup squads. He did however win thirty two caps for the Ireland cricket team. Neil was appointed as the Ulster backs coach in 2009, becoming head coach in 2014. We also wish Doaky well in whatever he chooses to do. Anthony Foley Although not an Ulsterman, there is no doubt that “Axel” Foley was one of the most popular and respected of rugby men, not just throughout Ireland, but much further afield. The news of his sudden death at such a young age was greeted with disbelief and great sadness. It was with great pride that Ulster was given permission by the Munster Branch to erect a plaque in memory of Anthony in the away changing room in the Kingspan Stadium. 8 8 IRFU ULSTER BRANCH ANNUAL REPORT & STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2016/17

Kingspan Stadium Although the stadium was completed a couple of years ago, Cecil Watson has ensured that the Development Committee, which he chairs, has kept itself busy. A funding allocation of £350,000 for 2016/17 has been fully utilised and planned upgrades to the Stadium have been completed in advance of the Women’s World Cup. This includes the recent successful introduction of stadium wi-fi, which has proved extremely popular. A further bid for 2017/18 to facilitate Stadium essentials is being prepared for submission to the Department for Communities. Progress on the Sub-Regional Strategy remains on hold until the Rugby World Cup bid outcome has been determined, and, of course, until there is political progress on the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly. A ten year plan detailing annual refurbishment strategy and costs for the Stadium is currently being developed by the Stadium Manager. The Kingspan Residents Committee is fully operational. Meetings to date have been positive, the main issue for residents being illegal parking on match nights. Best Event or Festival Experience At a gala evening on 18th May, the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards Ceremony was held in Enniskillen Castle. Despite very strong competition from some ever popular events including the Balmoral Show and Belfast Christmas Market, the award for “Best Event or Festival Experience” went to Ulster Rugby for its staging of the memorable European Champions Cup tie against Clermont Auvergne last December at Kingspan Stadium.