Ulster Rugby vs Glasgow Warriors

57 / 68

55
SUPPORTERS CLUB NEWS
TO BECOME A MEMBER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
DAVID SHANAHAN IS AWARDED THE
URSC JACK KYLE BURSARY FOR 2015/16
In 2007, the URSC inaugurated the Jack Kyle
Bursary. The Bursary is funded by the URSC
and is awarded on an annual basis to an up and
coming member of the Ulster Rugby Academy.
The Bursary is now worth £2,500 and its funding
is largely covered by the URSC’s annual ‘Big
Ballot’, many prizes for which are generously
donated by local businesses and for which the
URSC is very grateful.
22 year old scrumhalf, Dave, follows in the
footsteps of some famous predecessors. The
bursary, which is now in its ninth year, has
previously been awarded to Craig Gilroy, Paddy
McAlister, Mark McCrea, Ian Whitten, Iain
Henderson, Stuart Olding and Angelo Marica.
Last season saw the URSC, for the first time,
award two Bursaries in the same season, second
row Alan O’Connor having received a Bursary
in January and Adam McBurney receiving the
second in April.
Kieran Campbell (Academy Manager)
commented:
“Dave has been an exemplary member of the
Hughes Insurance Academy for three years.
An extremely dedicated and conscientious
individual, he has applied himself diligently to
his development on and off the pitch and this is
reflected through his successful completion of a
degree in Business at Queen’s University. He is
a scrumhalf who provides great tempo to team
attack, with his excellent service and decisive
decision making. These qualities have seen him
graduate to represent the Ulster senior team.”
Ulster Rugby’s Operations Director, Bryn
Cunningham said:
“We are delighted to nominate David as the
recipient of this award. He has stepped up to the
senior squad training environment this season
and acquitted himself excellently. His physical
and technical development over the course of
his time in the Academy has prepared him well
for the demands of top level professional rugby.
When you add in his level of commitment and
desire to succeed, we have no doubt that he will
continue to excel and push hard within the senior
starting squad over the coming years.”
Jonathan Bill, Chairman of the URSC said:
“I hope the Bursary will both help and encourage
Dave in his quest to become a professional rugby
player here in Ulster. I can’t think of a better place
to receive a rugby education than at Kingspan
Stadium, in the Hughes Insurance Ulster
Rugby Academy, and on the pitch with ultimate
professionals like Ruan Pienaar and Paul Marshall
to show him the way.
“Many thanks to our members for funding the
award by buying URSC Big Ballot tickets and to
all the local businesses who donated prizes for
the Ballot.”
Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy player, David Shanahan has been
awarded the Ulster Rugby Supporters Club Jack Kyle Bursary for 2015/16.