Ulster Rugby Annual Report

closely aligned to the existing IRFU coach and referee education pathways. The range of activities and number of participants are listed in the table below: Area of Focus Activity No. of Courses No. of Participants Concussion IRFU Coaching 11 321

1. ‘X7s’ (351 participants) – Eight mid-week X7s events were delivered in Clubs purposely targeting inactive and lapsed players, engaging them in fun 7-a-side half-pitch games. As well as increasing their participation in sport and physical activity, the aim was to provide a positive experience, encouraging those involved to re-connect with local Clubs for longer term rugby participation. 2. ‘UR Game’ (61 participants): two ten-week blocks were delivered at Belfast based Clubs and partnered with organisations such as Youth Initiatives and Include Youth. Two further programmes were delivered to prisoners in Hydebank Wood Colleges and HMP Maghaberry. This culminated in three full contact matches involving inmates, prison officers and Ulster rugby staff played in front of a large enthusiastic crowd. Following the success of the ‘Prison Project’ and at the request of the Northern Ireland Prison Service further taster sessions were delivered in HMP Magilligan. ‘UR Game’ creates opportunities for those from hard to reach communities, with no rugby experience and who are inactive to try the basic elements of the sport and play small sided games under the supervision of Ulster’s ‘Inclusive Rugby’ qualified coaches. The target was to raise activity levels, and where appropriate, referrals were made for participants to join in with the various X7s events. 3. ‘Walking Rugby’ (115 participants): This strand utilises non-contact, low impact variations of rugby (e.g. tag) to increase physical activity among those aged fifty plus. Eleven programmes were delivered, linking with organisations such as Dementia NI and Men’s Shed Groups, to establish venues and gain participation from active aging populations. The

Courses – online modules

Concussion Seminars

4 5

141

First Aid

SAFE Rugby Courses

72

Medical Professionals (club & school doctors and physios)

Medical Conference

1

36

In line with Ulster Rugby’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy, ‘Rugby at the Heart of the Community’ and as a result of a number of successful funding applications, the following Health and Wellbeing initiatives were rolled out across the province, engaging seven hundred and thirty eight participants in two hundred and seventy nine sessions -

12

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19