22 / 66
Disciplinary Committee has taken such a firm stance on
these offences.
The Ulster Branch continues to be very appreciative and
grateful for the work of the USRFR, the value of whose
work and commitment cannot be overstated.
SCHOOLS RUGBY
Ulster Schools Report
Every week there are in excess of three thousand
boys involved in the game of rugby union across the
schools in the province. This opportunity for each
boy is provided by a large number of people. Firstly,
the many school teachers who are largely volunteer
coaches supported by other coaches from the school
community. Secondly, those who do not coach teams
but travel with them to provide supervision along with
those who help host teams. Thirdly, the non-teaching
staff such as ground staff, cleaners and office staff
who carry out pitch preparation and maintenance,
keep changing rooms clean and tidy and help the
administration required are amongst the many tasks
that need to be completed. The Ulster Branch and
the Schools Committee are indebted to the work and
commitment of all these people who are essential for
the introduction to rugby and the development of our
young players.
Schools and clubs are also generous in providing their
facilities for competition semi-finals and finals. This year
gratitude is expressed to: Ballymena RFC, Banbridge
RFC, Belfast Harlequins RFC, BRA, Campbell College,
Methodist College, Queens’ Sport, Rainey ES, RBAI and
RS Dungannon.
In the actual competitions RBAI completed a hat trick
of wins in the Schools Cup. Down HS, Bangor GS and
Foyle College won the Subsidiary Shield, Bowl and
Trophy respectively. Methodist College featured in all
three senior finals winning both the 2nd and 3rd XV
Cups with Ballyclare HS and Campbell College picking
up the Plate in the 2nd XV and 3rd XV competitions
respectively. A new name was added to the Medallion
Shield this year as RS Armagh won the competition
for the first time with the Plate, Bowl and Trophy being
won by Sullivan Upper, Enniskillen Royal GS and
Ballyclare SS respectively. The High Schools’ Trophy
was won by Dromore HS and the Girls’ Schools’ Cup
by RS Dungannon. Campbell College once again
hosted a very successful Schools Sevens competition
with Dalriada School, RS Dungannon and Wallace HS
winning the Senior, Junior and Medallion competitions
respectively. The work done by the various competition
convenors is invaluable in the successful running of all
the competitions and thanks go to each and every one
of them. Our thanks and gratitude also go to Danske
Bank who sponsor all of these competitions.
This year the IRFU ran a Sevens Festival including an
U19 schoolboy competition. Ballyclare HS, Dalriada
School and Friends School entered this competition.
Congratulations to Dalriada School who won the Plate
and to Ballyclare HS who won the Bowl.
A number of smaller competitions are also superbly
organised by individual schools at U12 – U14 level which
are invaluable to these boys in providing them with
competitive action.
With a 6% rise in the number of male adult rugby games
being played and referee numbers basically the same
as last season, it is a challenge to ensure that all games
have suitably qualified referees. As reported last year,
there are peaks for referee requirement, such as a high
number of Ulster based AIL fixtures on a Saturday, or
when the Ulster team has a home fixture on a Saturday.
When you add this to illnesses, injuries and various
domestic issues, there is a strain on the supply of
referees, especially at the higher grade points required
to effectively cover all available games.
Whilst recruitment targets have been exceeded, the
conversion rate from recruit to trial referee and then
on to being a fully qualified referee is not as high
as required. It is important that clubs work with the
Referees’ Society to encourage members to take up
refereeing. It is disappointing to note that there are
eleven clubs who do not have a referee. When there are
no referees available for games, it is the clubs who will
complain first!
Targets for training and referee development
programmes have been successfully met and thanks
are due to David Wilkinson Junior who has organised
and run more than fifty one training workshop courses
at all levels till in the period to the end of March which
is an increase of 8.5% on last season. There have
been seventy eight one to one coaching sessions, an
increase of 42%, which underlines the onus put on this
area of personal development opportunities for referees.
This season again saw the extensive use of video
analysis to support referees’ development. It has been
a significant development tool with forty two games
reviewed and reported upon as well as the personal
attendance of the RDO at a further nine matches.
The introduction of the Development Group Program
led by Jack Young and the work that Ian Thompson
and his team of assessors carry out with the greater
pool of referees is of great value. This season saw three
hundred and thirty three assessments carried out.
With regards to the IPAS system, the USRFR put
forward three referees - Lee Evans, Chris Lough
and Johnny Wilson. Their performances exceeded
expectations and it is hoped that they will progress into
the all Ireland panel. Ulster currently supplies fourteen
referees to this panel of forty nine.
The Society is pleased to offer ever increased support
to the Youth Sections of Ulster Rugby in the hope of
aiding continuous improvement within the player base.
However, there is a continuing difficulty in certain
geographical areas. It is acknowledged that if referees
want regular rugby, they must participate fully in the age
grade program. The days of only doing adult rugby are
gone.
With regard to player discipline, referees this season
have actively followed IRFU directives on foul play which
has seen a dramatic rise in the number of red card
issued. It is important that coaches and players
understand changes to law interpretations which
are notified to all clubs and schools at the start of the
season. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in
referee abuse and dissent. These cannot be tolerated
and the Society is grateful that the Ulster Branch
IRFU ULSTER BRANCH
ANNUAL REPORT & STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2016/17
20
20