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The club, which caters for people with learning
disabilities, was the first of its kind in Ireland and
is affiliated to the Police Service of Northern
Ireland RFC.
The Taggers were formed in May 2006 by a group
of friends with the support of the IRFU (Ulster
Branch) and the first training session took place in
September that year at Newforge Country Club.
The club has flourished from the outset and
currently has a playing membership of 46,
who have travelled and played a lot of rugby at
many different venues. These include half-time
appearances at the RDS, Kingspan Stadium and
a curtain-raiser at Twickenham for the England v
All Blacks Autumn International in 2010.
Since the Taggers started there are now a
further eight rugby clubs across Ulster who have
disability sections and these clubs come together
to play each other at monthly rugby blitzes during
the season. They also participate with schools
and clubs from all of the four home unions in the
annual Wooden Spoon International Tag Festival.
This season they are off to Oxfordshire as the
Witney Wolves host the festival. Taggers players
and coaches do like their tours and the festival
has become an important part of the season.
On Saturday 24th September, Taggers past and
present celebrated their achievements with a
formal Anniversary Dinner at Newforge Country
Club. It was quite an evening, with words of
support via video link from former Club Patrons
Paul Steinmetz and Isaac Boss.
Club Captain Ross Stewart welcomed all of
the guests, then the current Club Patron Chris
Henry spoke about his involvement with the
club. He commented: “The Taggers are a truly
wonderful organisation and I am very proud to be
associated with the club. It’s rugby at its best.”
The patrons have been a great source of
inspiration to everybody at the club, while The
Taggers players and volunteers would also like
to thank the entire rugby family for its continued
support.
NEWFORGE TAGGERS
10 YEARS ON
AND GETTING STRONGER!
Newforge Taggers has become a respected and established part of the
rugby family in Ulster and Ireland and the club recently reached an important
milestone in its history - the 10th Anniversary.
NEWFORGE TAGGERS
The adapted game of Tag Rugby is a
fast and exciting non-contact sport that
encourages the positive development of
running, balance and handling skills. It is an
enjoyable fun and active way to keep fit and
healthy. It can be played by men, women
and children of all ages and abilities.