Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy player Angus Curtis could be forgiven for feeling he has a lot to live up to, as both his grandfather Brian and father David have previously been capped for Ireland.
Speaking at the season launch for Queen’s University RFC, Curtis describes the decision process for leaving his native Zimbabwe and how he ended up in Belfast.
“The plan was always to come to Ireland. I joined up with Ulster as well and I wanted to play for Queen’s from the get-go because I was going to be studying here and it is more like a younger side. They have been very welcoming, showed me round and have helped out with everything so it was pretty easy to pick Queen’s.
“I started playing rugby from a very young age. Officially it would be eight but in the garden from a younger age, my dad has always driven that and my brothers all played rugby, the fact my dad and his dad were here made me want to come over.”
Angus’ father David played in the centre for Ireland in the 1991 Rugby World Cup, when Ireland suffered a heart breaking defeat to Australia in the dying seconds of the quarter final.
“Whenever that match comes on TV dad gets teary eyed. They always show it on how Australia got to the final and he gets very sad. We have watched it a few times and that last try when the ball bounces out and pops into the Australian’s hand and he goes over in the corner, he says it could have went in any direction.
“Dad does talk a bit about his rugby career here. Now that I have got a lot older I am starting to ask who he played with and who he played for and how and what and it is very interesting to hear.”
19-year-old Curtis arrived in Belfast last January but has been hampered by injury since.
“I played for Ulster A in a friendly against Leinster - I came off the bench and got about 30 minutes.
“Hopefully when I get back that will be me for the rest of the season and I can do what I can for Queen’s, then there is the Ireland’s 20’s which is a goal and hopefully push for the British and Irish Cup with the Ulster A team.”
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Queen’s University RFC fields four teams every week with the 1st XV competing in Division 2A of the All Ireland League, while there is also a Ladies team.
Anyone interested in playing at Queen’s, at any level, should contact Chris Moore (rugby co-ordinator) at cjmoore77@hotmail.co.uk / 07968 113519.
Pictured at the QUB RFC season launch are (back row, L-R): David Johnston (Canterbury Clothing Company), Brendan Monaghan (Neuda MD) Iain Henderson (Ulster, Ireland, British & Irish Lions), Simon Harland (Queen’s President) Fionnuala Stephens (Queen’s Ladies RFC) Ian McAvoy (QUB RFC chair of rugby committee), (front row, L-R): Josh Jordan (QUB RFC & Ulster Sub-Academy) Angus Curtis (QUB RFC & Ulster Academy).
Speaking at the season launch for Queen’s University RFC, Curtis describes the decision process for leaving his native Zimbabwe and how he ended up in Belfast.
“The plan was always to come to Ireland. I joined up with Ulster as well and I wanted to play for Queen’s from the get-go because I was going to be studying here and it is more like a younger side. They have been very welcoming, showed me round and have helped out with everything so it was pretty easy to pick Queen’s.
“I started playing rugby from a very young age. Officially it would be eight but in the garden from a younger age, my dad has always driven that and my brothers all played rugby, the fact my dad and his dad were here made me want to come over.”
Angus’ father David played in the centre for Ireland in the 1991 Rugby World Cup, when Ireland suffered a heart breaking defeat to Australia in the dying seconds of the quarter final.
“Whenever that match comes on TV dad gets teary eyed. They always show it on how Australia got to the final and he gets very sad. We have watched it a few times and that last try when the ball bounces out and pops into the Australian’s hand and he goes over in the corner, he says it could have went in any direction.
“Dad does talk a bit about his rugby career here. Now that I have got a lot older I am starting to ask who he played with and who he played for and how and what and it is very interesting to hear.”
19-year-old Curtis arrived in Belfast last January but has been hampered by injury since.
“I played for Ulster A in a friendly against Leinster - I came off the bench and got about 30 minutes.
“Hopefully when I get back that will be me for the rest of the season and I can do what I can for Queen’s, then there is the Ireland’s 20’s which is a goal and hopefully push for the British and Irish Cup with the Ulster A team.”
---
Queen’s University RFC fields four teams every week with the 1st XV competing in Division 2A of the All Ireland League, while there is also a Ladies team.
Anyone interested in playing at Queen’s, at any level, should contact Chris Moore (rugby co-ordinator) at cjmoore77@hotmail.co.uk / 07968 113519.
Pictured at the QUB RFC season launch are (back row, L-R): David Johnston (Canterbury Clothing Company), Brendan Monaghan (Neuda MD) Iain Henderson (Ulster, Ireland, British & Irish Lions), Simon Harland (Queen’s President) Fionnuala Stephens (Queen’s Ladies RFC) Ian McAvoy (QUB RFC chair of rugby committee), (front row, L-R): Josh Jordan (QUB RFC & Ulster Sub-Academy) Angus Curtis (QUB RFC & Ulster Academy).