Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny were deserved winners of the inaugural Girls' Schools Junior 7s Cup which took place at Clogher Valley RFC yesterday.Â
The 7s tournament was introduced in 2015 to provide for those schools who are offering contact-rugby for girls. This season was the first were formal Junior (Year 9-11) and Senior (Year 12-14) competitions were introduced. The 7s game is played on a half-pitch, cross-field basis and has proven extremely popular. 18 teams from 14 schools entered the competition this year, although there are numerous other schools who have recently introduced the contact-version on a developmental basis.
Ulster Rugby's Female Rugby Officer, Neal Johnston commented on Wednesday's competition:
"I am delighted that we managed to get the Junior competition played this season as adverse weather on the original date meant we had to reschedule. This led to a few teams not being able to make it on Wednesday, but it hasn't made it any less successful. We had five schools represented: Erne Integrated, Fivemiletown College, Limavady Grammar School, Loreto Secondary School Letterkenny and The Royal School Armagh. The teams played a round-robin format and Loreto deservedly finished top of the pile. We last met back in November and the improvement in the standard is clear to see.
"I have spoken with the teachers and coaches from the various schools and we plan to meet in early September to secure suitable dates to offer playing opportunities on a more regular basis. The girls are loving it and they want to play more often so it's up to us collectively to give them the opportunity to do so."
Ulster Rugby would like to thank Clogher Valley RFC for hosting the cup competition, the teachers and coaches who brought the girls to play and the girls themselves for making it such an enjoyable and competitive day.
The 7s tournament was introduced in 2015 to provide for those schools who are offering contact-rugby for girls. This season was the first were formal Junior (Year 9-11) and Senior (Year 12-14) competitions were introduced. The 7s game is played on a half-pitch, cross-field basis and has proven extremely popular. 18 teams from 14 schools entered the competition this year, although there are numerous other schools who have recently introduced the contact-version on a developmental basis.
Ulster Rugby's Female Rugby Officer, Neal Johnston commented on Wednesday's competition:
"I am delighted that we managed to get the Junior competition played this season as adverse weather on the original date meant we had to reschedule. This led to a few teams not being able to make it on Wednesday, but it hasn't made it any less successful. We had five schools represented: Erne Integrated, Fivemiletown College, Limavady Grammar School, Loreto Secondary School Letterkenny and The Royal School Armagh. The teams played a round-robin format and Loreto deservedly finished top of the pile. We last met back in November and the improvement in the standard is clear to see.
"I have spoken with the teachers and coaches from the various schools and we plan to meet in early September to secure suitable dates to offer playing opportunities on a more regular basis. The girls are loving it and they want to play more often so it's up to us collectively to give them the opportunity to do so."
Ulster Rugby would like to thank Clogher Valley RFC for hosting the cup competition, the teachers and coaches who brought the girls to play and the girls themselves for making it such an enjoyable and competitive day.