Ulster Rugby vs Ospreys

‘TRY RUGBY’ PROGRAMME IN CREGGAN ESTATE A HUGE SUCCESS DANSKE BANK ENEW SCHOOLS RUGBY SPONSORSHIP

Danske Bank has renewed its sponsorship of schools rugby for a further three years and has extended the agreement to include the Girls Schools’ Cup for the first time.

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The sponsorship, which also includes support for the Ulster Schools’ Cup, Medallion Shield, U16 High Schools’ Trophy and the Ulster Schools’ representative squad, was welcomed by the 2014-15 season captains at the newly revamped Kingspan Stadium last week. Stephen Black, Principals’ Representative on the Ulster Schools Committee, said: “We are delighted to renew the relationship with Danske Bank for a further three years. The continuation of the sponsorship, not only of our competitions but also of the Ulster Schools representative side, is a massive boost to schools rugby within the Province. I’m now looking forward to the excitement of the competition draws and for the matches to get underway.” Tony Wilcox, Managing Director of Personal Banking, Danske Bank, added: “This will be the tenth year of our partnership with the Schools’ Cup and we are delighted that Girls’ Schools’ rugby will now also benefit from the sponsorship. The Girls’ competition is going from strength to strength and we anticipate that this year will be the biggest yet with over 80 schools competing.” Tony continued: “We are immensely proud of our relationship with the Schools’ Cup.

History has shown that the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup is a truly great platform for young rugby talent to shine and I have no doubt that this new season will be no exception.” The Girls’ competition, now in its seventh year, kicks off in February with teams playing a non-contact version of the game. Enniskillen Collegiate will be keen to make it through to the April final and retain the title for third successive season. Meanwhile, Dromore High School have got off to winning start lifting the first trophy of the 2014-15 High Schools’ season. Dromore had a convincing 22-0 win over Ballyclare Secondary School in the Pollock Cup final at Ballymena RFC last month. The Danske Bank Schools’ Cup, which is the world’s second-oldest rugby competition, returns next month. The cup was first won by Royal School Armagh back in 1876 and the current title holder, Methodist College Belfast, will be bidding to win its 38th Schools’ Cup in the St. Patrick’s Day final. Pictured David Lyttle, Dromore High School; Tony Wilcox, Managing Director of Personal Banking, Danske Bank; Saul Herdman, Methodist College; Stephen Black, Principals’ Representative, Ulster Schools Committee; Kathryn Dane, Enniskillen Collegiate.

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