Ulster Rugby v Cheetahs

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

We bid a special welcome “Vriende welkom in Belfast” to all the Cheetahs players, officials and supporters visiting us for the first time and hope they have an enjoyable experience in Ulster. I would like to offer my congratulations to Gerald Davis, Chairman, and Martin Anayi CEO of the Championship and all the participating club CEOs and officials who had the foresight to agree the new format, which takes us into this new level of competition. In the long term this can only be good for our future by strengthening our position financially and extending the level of competition. Since our last game here at Kingspan Stadium, we have been fortunate to secure the services of Australian fly-half, Christian Lealiifano. Christian has joined Ulster Rugby on a five-month deal after which he will return to the Brumbies for the start of the Super Rugby season. Christian, we welcome you to Ulster and hope you enjoy an injury free time here in Belfast. Congratulations to Rory Best, who was announced as our new captain earlier this week. I’m sure he’ll do a tremendous job, ably supported by a number of other senior players. Hosting the Woman’s Rugby World Cup in Dublin and Belfast proved a magnificent success for the IRFU and our congratulations go to all who have assisted with events both here at Kingspan Stadium and at Queen's University. We are both willing and confident in our ability to put on an equally fantastic tournament if selected to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. During August and September each season, the IRFU Ulster Branch delivered a series of Schools and Age Grade Interprovincial games. We recognise the contribution of Michael Black and his team for making all the arrangements, as well as all the team managers, coaches, selectors, parents and friends who work tirelessly to support these games. Notable results to date include a 34 – 30 win for the U20/Academy away to Leinster and a hard-fought draw 12 – 12 for the Schools U17 side away to Munster. As always your support at any of these games is most appreciated. Good luck to all the Ulster teams! The 52 rugby clubs in Ulster are now embarking on a new season and on behalf of the IFRU Ulster Branch, we wish them well for what we hope will be a memorable and enjoyable 2017/18. SUFTUM! Graffin Parke President IRFU (Ulster Branch) Stadium tonight for the first game in the new expanded Guinness PRO14 Championship. As President of the IRFU Ulster Branch, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Kingspan PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH 2017/18 OFFICERS Graf n Parke President Stephen Elliott Senior Vice President Gary Leslie Junior Vice President Denis Gardiner Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer Greg Irwin Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Shane Logan Chief Executive Chris Webster Domestic Rugby Manager Audrey Robinson Financial Controller Fiona Hampton Head of Sales & Marketing Les Kiss

Director of Rugby Bryn Cunningham Operations Director

Kingspan Stadium, 134 Mount Merrion Avenue Belfast, BT6 0FT T +44 (0)28 9049 3222 ulsterrugby.com

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