Ulster Rugby - Annual Report 2017-18

sessions of coach development. The USRFR supplied referees for weekly First XV games and the vast majority of competition matches, including assistant referees on occasions. Our thanks and appreciation are recorded to both groups. Schools rugby was also supported by our sponsors, Danske Bank, as has been the case for the past thirteen years, and was much appreciated. Stephen Black, Brian Leslie, Ross Hunter and Chris Nash, as competition secretaries for the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup, 2nd XV Cup, 3rd XV Cup and Medallion Shield respectively, were essential to the running of the competitions and received superb support from Barney McGonigle, whose contribution as PRO was critical in ensuring that Ulster Schools’ Rugby was promoted on a weekly basis. The support and assistance of the Ulster rugby publicity staff, Richard Finlay, Neil Hanna and Damian Kelly was also very much appreciated. The twelve Danske Bank sponsored competitions saw seventeen different Schools playing in finals and eleven different Schools emerge with silverware. Campbell College were victorious in the Schools’ Cup final with Ballyclare HS, BRA and Banbridge Academy winning the Subsidiary Shield, Bowl and Trophy respectively. Methodist College won both the 2nd XV and 3rd XV cups with Coleraine GS and Sullivan Upper winning the respective plate competitions. At Medallion level, Ballymena Academy emerged victorious in the Medallion Shield Final with RS Armagh, Bangor GS and Larne GS winning the Plate, Bowl and Trophy competitions respectively. Thanks go to Fergus Thompson (Stadium Facilities Manager) and Anita Bayne (Events Co-ordinator) for their assistance in staging so many events at the Kingspan Stadium. Apart from these well publicised competitions, many others were organised on a local or invitational basis, which helped provide the junior players in particular with competitive action. Unfortunately, this year the annual Senior, Junior and Medallion Sevens, scheduled to have been hosted by Campbell College, fell foul of the adverse weather conditions.

O’Neill, Pamela Wilkes and Paul Whitten who have been outstanding as per usual in their support of our endeavours. The Branch records its appreciation to the Society officers, management and members, and remains very mindful of all the work and commitment of this magnificent band of volunteers who under ever increasing demands, strive to the best of their abilities to service our sport. Without a referee there would simply be no game, and without the work of these volunteers in support of the aims of the Society, there would be no referees. We value and acknowledge all their efforts and sacrifice for the love of our game. The rugby playing Schools in Ulster are very much a community with lifelong friendships being made or refreshed both on and off the pitch on a weekly basis as Schools come together to play fixtures. This year it was great to welcome some new Schools into that community with Carndonagh CS and Coláiste Cholmcille from Co Donegal entering the 3rd XV competition for the first time to join two other schools from the county who have entered the competition in previous years. That sense of community was extended through the generosity of many Schools and Clubs offering the use of their facilities to provide neutral venues for semi-finals and finals as well as for representative fixtures. Thanks go to the Governors, Principals and all the School staff, including the ground staff, for their assistance with this. The adverse weather conditions caused by the “beast from the east” and the “mini beast from the east” at the end of the season saw many fixtures postponed, but the rugby community rallied by providing alternative venues for some finals, with the finalists themselves also providing flexibility. 74% of “Schools of Ireland” Schools engaged with Ulster Rugby Development Staff who ran a total of 93 SCHOOLS RUGBY Ulster Schools Report

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