Ulster Rugby Annual Report 2016-17

programmes have included:- — — Adult Age Grade/U20. A flexible approach to the U20 concept, played during three specific windows; Pre-season, Christmas & Easter. The main objective was to offer Youth players and School leavers an immediate opportunity to experience the local club. Twenty one clubs participated in various events throughout the year. — — X7s (Cross Field 7s) Rugby’s version of 5-a-side soccer or Twenty20 cricket, X7s is a less demanding version of full pitch 7s. It is also less attritional than traditional rugby, requiring less numbers to play. Nine clubs participated in two different events and feedback from the players was very positive. — — Super Sundays. A result of a meeting between the south western clubs and the CMC at the end of last season, events were organised in the south of the Province to bring together ‘additional teams’ outside of the traditional 2:30pm kick off on a Saturday. Two events were held, each comprising four teams. Interestingly three of the participants were new teams in that they did not feature in any of the Ulster Branch Competitions. Overall the feedback from these pilot programmes has been very positive. It is important to thank all of the clubs that participated and to recognise the efforts of volunteers in clubs and staff who worked extremely hard to ensure that these activities took place. It is anticipated that lessons from this pilot will be used to underpin a co-ordinated programme next season. Safeguarding Following the implementation of a new IRFU Safeguarding policy in 2016, every rugby club in Ireland was required by the end of 2016/17 to have achieved ‘amber status’ as a minimum. We are delighted to report that all clubs in Ulster have achieved that status. By the end of 2018/19 all clubs will be required to attain ‘green status’. Further support will be provided to clubs over the course of the next two seasons. Over the course of the year five safeguarding courses have been delivered, attracting sixty one participants from twenty three clubs. Discipline This season has seen a marked increase in the number of red cards issued and cases dealt with by the Disciplinary Committee. This can be largely attributed to the directive brought in by World Rugby at the start of the season which looked to punish high tackles. Even though communication had been circulated to players and coaches at the start of the season, it took a long time for the message to get through. It is hoped that we will see a decrease in the number of incidents of this type brought before the Disciplinary Committee next year as this directive beds in. Overall the issuing of red cards related to a range of offences with punching/striking being the most common. Sanctions ranged from ‘red card deemed sufficient’ to a twenty six week ban for verbal abuse of a referee. The following table shows the number of red cards issued in recent seasons. 12 12 IRFU ULSTER BRANCH ANNUAL REPORT & STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2016/17 Year 2016/17 2015/16 2014/15 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12 2010/11 Total

Adult

Youth

Total

45(13) 29 (1) 41 (7) 25 (4) 28 (6) 44 (7) 30 (9)

10(1) 6 (1) 13 (1)

55(14) 35 (2) 54 (8) 39 (4) 38 (6) 53 (7) 47 (9)

14 10

9

17

Figures in brackets are cases of referee abuse

Rugby Development Rugby Development staff are responsible for the development of all on-field aspects of the game including growing participation coaching. One of the areas of growth this season was through the deployment of various rugby participation staff within schools. This was supported through our network of twenty three Club Community Rugby Officers (CCROs), four Community Participations Officers (CPOs) and two specific posts in Belfast focusing on increasing participation opportunities amongst females and people with a disability. The posts in Belfast are funded by Belfast City Council with our four CPOs being supported by Antrim & Newtownabbey Council and Newry, Mourne and Down Councils. The opportunity to secure additional funding from local authorities for development staff is currently being explored in several other council areas. The Aldi play rugby programme, delivered by our participation staff, provided rugby opportunities to both primary and secondary schools throughout the 2016/17 season: A breakdown of the numbers involved is recorded in the table below.

Schools Number Male

Female Supported Participants Participants

Primary 160 Secondary 120

4990 6481

3552 1336 4888

280

11,471

(248 - 2015/16)

High Schools Competitions During the 2016/17 season Rugby Development staff, in conjunction with the High Schools Committee, organised and supported the delivery of four competitions to support rugby in High Schools across the province. One hundred and twenty four teams participated across the competitions at four different age grades. This is an area of the game which continues to grow steadily and it is also an important means of growing our club youth structures through the work of the CCROs and CPOs.