The 2021 Adult Participation Review made several recommendations to adapt the delivery of rugby in Ulster, to bring our structures more in-line with the needs of the modern player.
In addition to the delivery of a phased season of social rugby at Regional Level, the 2023/24 season has seen the introduction of a Regional Midweek League in the second phase from January-March.
This is the first adult competition of its type in Ulster with six participating teams across the east of the province: Ulster University, Coleraine/Magee 2nd XV, Ophir 2nd XV, Academy 4TH XV, Ballyclare 5th XV, Ballynahinch 6th XV, Bangor 4th XV.
The Regional Midweek League is designed to provide more choice amongst players, and provides more opportunity for players that may not be able to play regularly on a Saturday.
Matches are all scheduled in the evening, during the week, to provide additional, alternative playing opportunities, an aim that was defined in the Participation Review.
Five out of the six participating teams were not part of league structures in Phase 1, and represent a growing playing population and an increased appetite for playing opportunities away from the traditional Saturday afternoon slot.
Will Lucas from Ophir RFC said:
"We see the midweek league as a great opportunity for us to continue to grow our playing numbers. With the help of Ulster Branch, this midweek league has enabled Ophir RFC to offer additional games to a range of players who are not getting regular games on a Saturday as part of our senior teams. We are really looking forward to the league kicking off and getting stuck in!"
Phase 1 of the season saw the implementation of an updated ‘Game On’ trial to Regional East 1 and Regional East 2, allowing competitive matches to take place when one or both teams are short of players or don’t have a fully qualified front row. This measure serves to protect the game opportunity and to reduce cancellations at Regional level, which disrupts the regular accessibility of the game.
These new ‘Game On’ provisions have now been extended to all Regional leagues, as well as the Midweek League for Phase 2 of the season.
In line with the Participation Review, we have also created the recently launched Player Participation Roadmap to help clubs engage and retain players.