17 / 72
Course
Number of
Number of
/Stage
Courses
Attendee
Coaches
Lep
3
50
Stage 1
5
152
Stage 2
4
124
Stage 3
2
48
Totals
14
374
In addition to the delivery of formal coaching courses,
coaches have been supported in their development
through staff support and delivery of workshops on
various areas of the game. Development staff have
worked closely with coaches in the Academy and
Professional Game to develop appropriate content. In
total staff have supported 1053 contact opportunities
with coaches to assist their ongoing development. As
a result of working closely with clubs the retention and
recruitment of coaches has been identified as an area
for further support.
Discipline
It is pleasing to report that there has been a significant
decrease in the number of disciplinary hearings this
year, especially as the previous season had reached a
6 year high. Incidents of referee abuse by players and
officials have dramatically decreased, with only 2 case
having to be dealt with by the Disciplinary Committee
this season. There were a small number of further
reported cases of referee abuse which clubs dealt
with themselves in a more than acceptable manner.
Hopefully next season we can fulfil our ambition of
having zero cases of referee abuse.
As reported elsewhere, the number of youth fixtures is
increasing and in light of this growth it is important to
recognise the significant decrease in discipline cases
involving youth players. Indeed the number of cases
heard by the committee involving youth players is at an
all-time low.
Overall the issuing of red cards related to a range
of offences with punching and striking being by far
the most common. Sanctions ranged from ‘red card
deemed sufficient’ to a 12 week ban. The following
table shows the number of red cards issued in recent
seasons
Year
Adult
Youth
Total
2009/10
42
6
48
2010/11
30 (9)
17
47 (9)
2011/12
44 (7)
9
53 (7)
2012/13
28 (6)
10
38 (6)
2013/14
25 (4)
14
39 (4)
2014/15
41 (7)
13 (1)
54 (8)
2015/16
29 (1)
6 (1)
35 (2)
(Figures in brackets are cases of Referee abuse)
NEVIN SPENCE CENTRE
The Nevin Spence Centre was officially opened by
members of the Spence Family and the DCAL Minister
Carál Ní Chuilín in August 2015. Including pre-opening
test visits, over 7,000 visitors have had the opportunity
to experience the centre and associated tours of the
Kingspan Stadium.
The majority of visitors to date have been from schools
with many of the school children taking the opportunity
to participate in one of the themed workshops on offer.
A number of special evening events have also been
hosted at the centre, with the most popular being the
‘An evening with’ series which has given visitors the
opportunity to meet with some of their favourite players
in a more relaxed setting.
Funding through the Office of the First Minister and
Deputy First Minister as well as the Public Health
Agency, has allowed the centre to reach out to school
groups that may not usually have had the opportunity to
visit the Kingspan Stadium. These programmes resulted
in over 1000 pupils from 40 different schools being
given an insight into the game as well as the various
aspects of Ulster Rugby which they may not have
previously considered.
Over the course of the next 12 months the focus will be
on increasing visitor numbers targeting both the schools
market and more casual tours as well as looking to
maximize the opportunity to increase visitor numbers on
match nights.
Considerable thanks are due to Chris Webster and
the domestic rugby staff. As has been evidenced in
the report above, they do a tremendous job covering
a range of activities and services for the benefit of
our clubs and schools. The Ulster Branch is very
appreciative of all their efforts and commitment.
15
15