PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO ‘CONVERT’ PRACTICE INTO SUCCESS AT THE HOME OF ULSTER RUGBY
21 April 2011
With the Rugby World Cup only a matter of months away and following on from the great form shown by Ireland and Ulster this season, rugby’s profile has never been greater.
In response Newtownabbey based ICT services company, Northgate Managed Services has joined forces once again with Ulster Rugby to host this year's 'IRFU Ulster Branch Primary Schools' Mini Rugby Festival' at Ravenhill.
The IRFU place a strong emphasis on participation rather than competition and this year's event will be a fun and rewarding day out for each and every team.
The festival takes place at Ravenhill between Tuesday 17th May and Friday 20th May and will see 40 schools take to the famous rugby field to compete in a series of round robin matches. Scores will not be kept so while there won't be an outright winner, the festival will help develop team skills and a genuine love for the game.
Commenting on this year's festival, Brian O'Shaughnessey, Community Rugby Officer at the IRFU Ulster Branch said, "Mini Rugby is a great way for children to get involved and enjoy rugby, and the annual primary schools' mini rugby festival is one that goes straight into the schools sporting calendars. Its format encourages participation and is viewed as a vehicle to spark interest in the game and help to develop players, so, they might have the opportunity to emulate heroes such as Ulster stars Andrew Trimble, BJ Botha and Nigel Brady. Our relationship with Northgate continues to be a very successful one, and I look forward to working with them for another year of Mini Rugby."
Eleanor Lee, Head of Marketing and Communications, Northgate Managed Services added, "We are delighted to be working with Ulster Rugby and to be supporting the Mini Rugby festival for a sixth year. It is a fantastic event and one that is enjoyed by all those that take part. Each year the talent on show surpasses that of the previous year, and I have no doubt that it won't be too long before we witness a player from this event representing Ulster and even Ireland."
