Ulster Schools' Cup FInal

Without this contribution, schools' rugby in Ulster would be in a much poorer place. Already several games in the competition have proved to be great advertisements for our schools’ game, not only in terms of the quality of rugby in show but also in the atmosphere provided by the supporters from all the schools. I look forward to similar excellence both on and off the field today and trust that this will be an occasion to remember with all involved proving themselves as excellent ambassadors for their schools and for our great game. Finally, I offer best wishes to the coaches, under the leadership of Brian Robinson and Nick Wells, and the players from both schools - may the better side win. Stephen W Black Chairman Ulster Schools’ Committee

over Dalriada School before comfortably overcoming ‘seeded’ opposition in RBAI at Pirrie Park in the Quarter-Final and Wallace High School in the Semi-Final. For Danske Bank, today represents their 14th Schools' Cup Final as our sponsors and we are delighted to welcome their Chief Executive, Kevin Kingston, and other Danske Bank representatives to the stadium. The Schools' Committee, and indeed all our schools, are indebted to Danske Bank for their continued support and generosity without which we would struggle to meet the demands of all our competitions, our representative sides and our age grade player development programmes. One need look no further than the current Ulster senior squad and its Academy, in which the significant majority of our professional players come from our schools, for the benefits which this support is bringing to Ulster and Irish rugby. Another group to whom the Schools’ Committee owes much gratitude for assistance throughout the season is the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees and I offer best wishes to today's officials, led by referee Dan Carson. I hope they have an enjoyable game free from controversy. There are many people behind the scenes who contribute to the success of schools' rugby and the development of schools' players in the Province and I thank them all: Principals for their support for the game in spite of the challenging financial demands placed on our schools; the members of the Schools' Committee for their dedication to develop rugby in schools and their administration of all our competitions; the administrative staff at Ulster Rugby, particularly Jill and Lesley; our PRO, ‘Barney’ McGonigle, who ensures that schools' rugby gets unsurpassed coverage in the local press; the Ulster Rugby Academy staff under Kieran Campbell's direction, who are supporting the development of players and coaches in schools and, of course, all those coaches and assistants across all our schools who are working with young players.

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