Ulster Rugby - Annual Report 2017-18

Event

Number

Players involved

Year

Adult 39 (6) 45(13) 29 (1) 41 (7) 25 (4) 28 (6) 44 (7) 30 (9)

Youth

Total

2017/18 2016/17 2015/16 2014/15 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12 2010/11

12 (3) 10(1) 6 (1) 13 (1)

51 (9) 55 (14) 35 (2) 54 (8) 39 (4) 38 (6) 53 (7) 47 (9)

20’s U20’s X7’s Total

7 3 10 20

441 120 154 715

14 10 17 9

High Schools Rugby During the 2017/18 season the High Schools Committee, in conjunction with the Rugby Development staff, organised and supported the delivery of age grade competitions to support rugby in High Schools throughout the province. Across all competitions there were one hundred and ninety eight entrants covering four age grades in nine competitions. High Schools rugby is reliant on School coaches and supported by Ulster Rugby’s network of CCRO’s. This season saw the introduction of a Seven-a-side competition for players in the U15 age grade with the qualifying teams attending a blitz day hosted by the IRFU in Dublin. High Schools Competitions Competition: U12 Number of Entries 52 Final Lurgan JHS 25 - 10 Dromore HS Winner Lurgan JHS Competition: U14 Shield Number of Entries 10 Final Killicomaine JHS 34 - 15 Dromore HS Winner Killicomaine JHS Competition: U14 Trophy Number of Entries 10 Final Fivemiletown 20 - 17 Ballyclare Secondary

Figures in brackets are cases of referee abuse Rugby Development Rugby Development staff were responsible for the development of on-field aspects of the game including participation growth and coaching. One area of growth this season was achieved through the deployment of various rugby participation staff within Schools. This initiative was supported through our network of twenty-five Club Community Rugby Officers (CCROs), four Community Participation Officers (CPOs) and two specific posts in Belfast focusing on increasing participation opportunities amongst females and people with a disability. The posts in Belfast were funded by Belfast City Council with our four CPOs being supported by Antrim & Newtownabbey Council and Newry, Mourne and Down Council. The opportunity to secure additional funding from local authorities for development staff is currently being explored in several other council areas. The Aldi play rugby programme, delivered through our participation staff, provided rugby opportunities to both primary and secondary Schools during the 2017/18 season. A breakdown of the numbers involved is recorded in the table below.

Winner

Fivemiletown College

Competition: Number of Entries

U14 Bowl

43

Schools Number Male

Female Supported Participants Participants

Final

OLSPK 10 - 0 Markethill High School

Winner

OLSPK

Primary

198 307

5731 6687 12,418

4027 2542

Competition: Number of Entries

U16 Pollock Cup

24

Secondary 109

Final

Ballynahinch HS / Ballyclare Secondary Ballynahinch HS / Ballyclare Secondary U16 High Schools’ Trophy Ballyclare Secondary 37 - 19 Ballynahinch HS Ballyclare Secondary U16 High Schools’ Plate St. Columbs 43-15 St. Eunan’s 32 13

Total 6569 Throughout the season rugby development staff worked closely with Clubs and Schools throughout Ulster to develop additional participation programmes designed to assist the transition players from age grade into adult rugby. Additionally efforts were made to help reintegrate players who had lapsed from the game. The following events, hosted throughout the province, involved thirty one clubs:

Winner

Competition: Number of Entries

Final

Winner

Competition: Number of Entries

Final Winner

St. Columbs

Competition: Number of Entries

U18 High Schools’ Cup

8

Final

Sperrin Integrated 32 - 0 Carndonagh Community College Sperrin Integrated

Winner

15