Ulster Rugby Annual Report 2016-17

Women’s Rugby With the Women’s Rugby World Cup taking place in Ireland in August 2017, the profile of the women’s game in Ulster has never been higher and the opportunities for growing the game have never been greater. However, a number of challenges still remain in terms of growing the game sustainably from mini rugby through to the adult level. In the Adult game twelve clubs fielded teams at three different levels throughout the year (All Ireland League, Ulster Women’s Championship and Ulster Women’s Development). A full breakdown of team performance can be found elsewhere in this report. Post-Christmas saw the introduction of monthly Wednesday afternoon blitzes for students in third level education at Queens University and Ulster University (Jordanstown and Coleraine Campuses). Due to the success and level of uptake by students plans are already underway to build upon this for next season. In the Youth game competition structures operated at Under 18 and Under 15 level. Six teams competed at U18 with Virginia winning the league and cup double, beating Monaghan in the Cup final. Five teams competed at U15 level with Enniskillen winning the League but losing to Virginia in the Cup Final. In addition, this season saw a focus on U12s, with blitzes being organised monthly to provide players with regular access to games throughout the season. Four clubs (Armagh, Donaghadee, Malone and Virginia) represented Ulster at the Women’s Rugby World Cup U12 blitz at Carton House in April which was organised by the IRFU. At Schools level we have continued to see a growth in playing numbers. This has been facilitated by our ability to offer different formats of the game and different entry levels for schools, depending on their experience. In Tag Rugby twenty seven teams took part in the development format with a further ten entering the main competition in which Royal School Dungannon beat Grosvenor Grammar School by 10 tries to 8 in the Danske Bank Girls Tag Schools Cup Final. Contact rugby in schools is facilitated through the GX7s format and is offered at Junior (Year 9-10-11) and Senior (Year 12-13-14) level. Eighteen teams from fourteen schools entered the Junior and Senior competitions. Pre-Christmas, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Kilkeel High School, Monaghan Collegiate and Royal School Cavan qualified for the All Ireland Senior Schools Competition at the Aviva. Post-Christmas the Ulster Girls School Senior 7s Cup had to be cancelled due to adverse weather and was unable to be rescheduled due to Easter holidays and subsequent proximity to exams. Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny won the inaugural Ulster Girls’ Schools Junior 7s Cup. In addition, a number of other schools which weren’t involved in the competitions are now offering contact rugby to girls. It is hoped that for the 2017/18 season, with the support of the schools, additional playing opportunities can be provided with the proposed introduction of a 7s series at both Junior and Senior level. This season also saw the first ever Interprovincial Development 7s tournaments.

» » Four ‘Get Fit with Ulster Rugby Bootcamps’ based at rugby clubs which targeted females aged sixteen and over. » » Four ‘Men’s Get Active’ sessions based at rugby clubs which targeted males aged over thirty five. » » Social Inclusion Programme (Your Club your History). The interest in the club history programme was so significant that a thorough consultation process was undertaken with thirty nine clubs forming the basis for an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. If successful the ‘Your Club Your History’ programme will become a province wide initiative. » » The IRFU (Ulster Branch) established a partnership with Action Mental Health (AMH) to deliver the ‘Mindset’ programme to young players in clubs across the province. Three groups of players received workshops with further sessions delivered to referees, coaches, club officials and parents. » » To assess the needs for future Health and Wellbeing initiatives Sector 3 Solutions conducted a series of consultation events across the province. Work has been ongoing throughout the year in the development of bids to other funding programmes. The IRFU (Ulster Branch) is currently waiting on decisions regarding the following applications:- — — EU Peace IV Funding. In partnership with the Irish FA and Ulster GAA, we are awaiting a decision in June 2017 relating to a symbolic joint multi-sport partnership bid to the EU Peace IV Programme worth £1.5 million in total (£0.5 million to Ulster Rugby). — — Heritage Lottery Fund. An application has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a one year development grant worth £68,500. If successful, this investment will be used to work with Clubs and key stakeholders to finalise the shape and structure of a three year history project which will capture, archive, celebrate and showcase the memories and records of almost one hundred and forty years of rugby union history in Ulster. Decisions for the initial one year development grant will be given in June 2017 and if successful, a further application will be submitted worth circa £600,000 for the three year project. — — The Executive Office. An application worth £81,000 has been submitted to the Central Good Relations Fund through The Executive Office to build upon the successful “Inclusive Rugby” programme. If successful, this one year project will focus on key stage 2 pupils from some of the hardest to reach primary schools across Belfast and Northern Ireland. Staff have also been instrumental in supporting a number of clubs to secure funding for a range of initiatives across a variety of different funding programmes. This has included funds to improve facilities and support participation programmes. Again work is ongoing with clubs to support their further development through access to external funding programmes.

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