Ulster Rugby Annual Report 2015 - 2016

I wish to pay tribute to the essential contribution that our referees make to the game. The USRFR members and affiliated referees do a very lonely job away from their home club every week. Without them we would not have a game and I am very appreciative of their service and dedication. I also applaud the work of the Disciplinary Committee who are imposing heavy sentences for referee abuse. There is no place in our game for bullying and to my mind referee abuse is a form of bullying. Our supporters also deserve a great big thank you. The supporters at Kingspan are the most dedicated in the PRO 12 with an average home gate of some 15,500 this season and 10,500 season tickets sold. Each season Ulster Rugby selects a charity partner in addition to our continued support for the IRFU Charitable Trust. This season the charity partner was The Alzheimer’s Society and I am delighted that we have been able to support them “Leading the Fight against Dementia.” I would like to thank Maeve Bogie for the tremendous support and help that she gave me throughout the year. I would also like to thank my wife Valerie who provided me with great support and my family for their understanding they have given me during the season. Finally I want to wish John McKibbin and Moira every success and enjoyment in his year of office next season.

diligence throughout the season. They work tirelessly to ensure Ulster Rugby, both the Professional and Domestic game, is run smoothly week in, week out and is developed going forward and, in particular, in non- traditional areas. I would like in particular to personally thank Shane and Chris Webster for all the briefings and advice that they gave to me throughout the season. On my visits to the schools and clubs throughout the Province I have witnessed the sheer enthusiasm and passion for the game of rugby football that exists. The wellbeing of our great game depends so much on these volunteers who give up their time and put in a tremendous amount of work. This year the Ulster Branch has recognised the value of volunteers by introducing a Volunteers Award Scheme and it was my pleasure to present the first of these award winners with their trophies at the Leinster game at the end of the season. I would like to congratulate everyone playing the game and particularly to those teams who have won a competition, whether it is a league of a cup this season. I feel however that it would be remiss of me if I did not mention two historical feats in domestic rugby. Firstly, RBAI retained the Schools Cup and by doing so were the first school to complete the “double” i.e. they won both the Schools Cup and the Medallion Shield in consecutive years. In addition, they also won the Second XV and Third XV Cups completing the grand slam. Secondly, Bangor RFC had an outstanding season. They collected the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup, the Powerade Towns Cup, the Kukri Qualifying League 1 title and the Conference League 1 title. They followed this up by winning the AIL Round Robin play-offs securing a return to Senior rugby and I congratulate them on a magnificent season.

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