Ulster Rugby Annual Report

ꢀꢁꢂ҃ꢁ!ꢀꢃꢂꢄꢀꢅꢃꢄ!ꢂꢆ!ꢂ"ꢂꢅ$ꢀ$ꢇ(ꢂꢄ$ꢂꢀꢈ" ULSTER UNDER 19 Head Coach : Jonny Gillespie Assistant Coach: Willie Anderson Coaches: Jonathon Graham and James Topping (b7;oꢄꢀm-Ѵ v|vĹ Simon McLeod and Ben Thompson S & C Coach: Matthew Godfrey Resources Managers: Ian McCaugherty and Andy Weir Physiotherapist: Emily Gaffney Doctor: Dr Owen Rainey Assistant Team Manager: David Kennedy Manager: Barney McGonigle The Ulster U19 squad was identified and met just after Easter 2018 for one day at Ballymena Academy. The season plan was presented to the players the majority of whom then returned to their Schools to finalise their preparations for examinations. The beginning of July saw the start of an intensive summer training schedule with great commitment and attention to detail, on and off the pitch, being shown by those in attendance. Players and management were in attendance each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Newforge Country Club with pitch sessions dovetailing with gym sessions and classroom sessions in order to assist the development of a talented group of players. By the end of July the coaches were readily able to identify the potential starting team as well as the back-up players. The demands of Academy teams impacted on the U19s with a number of players unable to be released to the squad. However, as both squads had worked closely

A survey was carried out into participation throughout the province in May 2019 which indicated that numbers continued to grow in Ulster, especially in the P5-P7 age group. Armagh RFC once again hosted this season’s Aviva festival which saw twenty boys’ and five girls’ teams participating in an excellent day’s activity. The culmination of the Aviva National festival series was the National event at the Aviva Stadium on 19th May. Ulster was well represented with Enniskillen, Letterkenny, Virginia, Armagh and Lisburn Rugby Clubs in attendance. The weather was kind and all participants and their families had a fantastic day. Thanks must be given to the sponsorship of Subway. As a result every mini rugby Club in the province had the opportunity to play at the Kingspan Stadium during half-time of Ulster matches, focusing on the U12 age group. In addition, the support of Maxol resulted in the running of festivals throughout Ulster, focusing on the U7, U9 and U12 age groups. In total nine festivals were scheduled through the course of the season. Around ninety Primary Schools across the Province took part in local blitzes. Thirty two schools were invited to the Primary Schools Festival focusing on P6/7 players which took place in May at the Kingspan Stadium, thanks also to the sponsorship of Maxol to whom we offer our appreciation for their support over the last number of years. Overall it has been a successful season for mini rugby in Ulster and it is sincerely hoped that with an increasing focus on the introduction of the girls’ game the province will see a further increase in playing numbers and participating Clubs. Individual Clubs’ use of their CCROs, flyers through local Schools and social media have had a direct impact on the growth of the game.

28

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19