Ulster Rugby vs Ospreys

NEWFORGE TAGGERS 10 YEARS ON AND GETTING STRONGER!

Newforge Taggers has become a respected and established part of the rugby family in Ulster and Ireland and the club recently reached an important milestone in its history - the 10th Anniversary.

The club, which caters for people with learning disabilities, was the first of its kind in Ireland and is affiliated to the Police Service of Northern Ireland RFC. The Taggers were formed in May 2006 by a group of friends with the support of the IRFU (Ulster Branch) and the first training session took place in September that year at Newforge Country Club. The club has flourished from the outset and currently has a playing membership of 46, who have travelled and played a lot of rugby at many different venues. These include half-time appearances at the RDS, Kingspan Stadium and a curtain-raiser at Twickenham for the England v All Blacks Autumn International in 2010. Since the Taggers started there are now a further eight rugby clubs across Ulster who have disability sections and these clubs come together to play each other at monthly rugby blitzes during the season. They also participate with schools and clubs from all of the four home unions in the annual Wooden Spoon International Tag Festival. This season they are off to Oxfordshire as the Witney Wolves host the festival. Taggers players and coaches do like their tours and the festival has become an important part of the season.

On Saturday 24th September, Taggers past and present celebrated their achievements with a formal Anniversary Dinner at Newforge Country Club. It was quite an evening, with words of support via video link from former Club Patrons Paul Steinmetz and Isaac Boss. Club Captain Ross Stewart welcomed all of the guests, then the current Club Patron Chris Henry spoke about his involvement with the club. He commented: “The Taggers are a truly wonderful organisation and I am very proud to be associated with the club. It’s rugby at its best.” The patrons have been a great source of inspiration to everybody at the club, while The Taggers players and volunteers would also like to thank the entire rugby family for its continued support. The adapted game of Tag Rugby is a fast and exciting non-contact sport that encourages the positive development of running, balance and handling skills. It is an enjoyable fun and active way to keep fit and healthy. It can be played by men, women and children of all ages and abilities.

NEWFORGE TAGGERS

21

www. ULSTERRUGBY .com