16
ULSTER
RUGBY
COMMUNITY RUGBY
UlsterBranch
Good evening and welcome to Kingspan
Stadium. I think it’s very appropriate as we
support Mencap’s Big Step Forward Appeal
today to have a look at how two of our special
educational needs sections have progressed
during their first season and tell you a little bit
about the Wooden Spoon International Tag
Festival that took place at Kingspan Stadium
in June.
It’s hard to believe that a year has passed
since the Errigal Eagles and the Portadown
Panthers officially launched.
Recently we spoke with representatives from
the Eagles and the Panthers to see how their
respective clubs have developed in the past
year.
Both the Eagles and the Panthers are now
firmly established as part of the rugby
community and this is largely due to funding
from the Department of Culture Arts and
Leisure’s (DCAL) ‘Promoting Equality, Tackling
Poverty and Social Exclusion through Sport
Programme’. This funding has enabled our
community rugby coaches to deliver training
sessions at special educational needs schools
and groups. My role is then to sign-post those
pupils/players who wish to play the game
towards their local rugby clubs. A similar
approach in Coleraine and Ballyclare has led
to the formation of the Coleraine Chargers
and the Clare Hares. Other initiatives that have
helped with the development of the game have
been the delivery of two successful summer
camps at Newforge and Coleraine RFC and
the involvement of the eight disability rugby
sections across Ulster in a series of monthly
blitzes which has added structure to their
season. It is also important to acknowledge
the contribution that the IRFU Ulster Branch
Special Needs Tag Rugby Group (STAG)
have made to the development of the game in
Ulster.
Both the Eagles and the Panthers talked
about their participation in the Wooden Spoon
International Tag Festival. It was without doubt
a resounding success despite the weather (it
rained all day!) however this did not dampen
the spirits of the players. This was the 8th
year of the festival and it was the biggest to
date as for the first time all four home unions
were represented with a total of 44 teams
participating involving 437 players. Following
the last match presentations were made to the
most sporting team from each of the sections
(Stage 1 and Stage 2 - Under 15/Over 15).
The Mayor of the City of Belfast Miss Nicola
Mallon; IRFU (Ulster Branch) Vice President
(now President) Mr John Kinnear; the President
of Wooden Spoon Mr Willie John McBride and
Mr Des Kavanagh from the IRFU made the
presentations to: Ballymena Bears; Stockport
All-stars; The Clan (Doon Academy) and
Garryowen Lions and medals were awarded
to every player who participated. Following the
speeches the day closed with the provision of
dinner and a disco in the ‘Clubhouse Bar’ at
Kingspan Stadium. There were smiles, smiles
and more smiles on the faces of the players,
their parents/carers, coaches and spectators
throughout the day, it was a truly memorable
experience.
Kay Weeks from Stockport All-stars summed
the day up with an email entitled ‘Superb
tournament’: “Thank you so much for giving
us all such a fantastic weekend at Kingspan
Stadium. The whole Stockport squad and their
parents were bowled over by the experience.
Everything was brilliantly organised… All we
had to do was to sit back; relax and enjoy
it. The youngsters and their parents will be
treasuring the experience for many years. This
is the rugby community at its finest.”
The work that went on behind the scenes by
the volunteers; the referee’s; caterers; Ulster
Rugby staff; parents; coaches and so many
others who supported the event made the day
the success that it was. It is safe to say that
everybody involved with the day enjoyed the
experience. It was all about the players to see
their passion and enjoyment of the sport and
to witness the skills and sportsmanship on
display. It was just great to be a part of it.
However the day would not have taken place
without the support of Wooden Spoon; Belfast
City Council and the Department of Culture
Arts and Leisure. On behalf of IRFU Ulster
Branch; STAG and all of the players and
coaches I would like to acknowledge and
thank them for their support.
I am confident that with the continued support
of DCAL, opportunities for people with
disabilities to play rugby will continue to grow.
For further information contact
the Disability and Inclusion Officer
Tim Craig
07442 490 460
or
The Errigal Eagles and Portadown Panthers... One Year On
SPECIAL NEEDS
RUGBY
UPDATE
by TIM
CRAIG
, DISABILITY
AND INCLUSION OFFICER
