Following feedback from schools last year and two consultation meetings with schools earlier this month the following has been outlined as the structure for Girls' Secondary Schools.
There are changes from last year to reflect the growing interest in the contact 7s version of the game introduced to schools in 2015.
The following outlines the provision in Ulster for the 2017-18 season.
TAG RUGBY
Tag Rugby will continue with two options available to schools. Schools are welcome to participate in one or both levels as the participation tag can be streamed to cater for both newer/novice and more experienced schools:
Participation Tag:
Girls’ Tag Schools Cup Finals Day:
CONTACT RUGBY
Contact rugby will be available using a modified half-pitch cross-field version of the game. Teams will be 7-a-side and will be divided into Junior and Senior age categories. Junior teams will be made up of players born between 1/7/2002 and 30/6/2005 (NI Yr9-11, ROI Yr1-3) and Senior teams will be comprised of players born between 1/1/1999 and 30/6/2002 (NI Yr12-14, ROI Yr4-6). Please note the Senior will use a 3½ year age band due to the different school age ranges between NI and ROI. This has been done to facilitate the All-Ireland Senior X7s Competition.
Please note there may be coaching support available for schools with the desire to get involved but don’t have suitable coaching staff available.
There will be two options available to schools for 7s rugby.
Participation 7s:
Competition 7s:
* Top 4 Senior Competition Teams qualify for IRFU National 7s competition at Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday 8th November where they will play the top 4 schools from Connacht, Leinster and Munster to challenge for the All Ireland X7s Cup. Bus subsidy of €;200 provided by IRFU.
If you would like further information on any of the above please do not hesitate to contact Ulster Rugby’s Female Rugby Officer at: 07767 115 764 or Neal.Johnston@Ulsterrugby.com
There are changes from last year to reflect the growing interest in the contact 7s version of the game introduced to schools in 2015.
The following outlines the provision in Ulster for the 2017-18 season.
TAG RUGBY
Tag Rugby will continue with two options available to schools. Schools are welcome to participate in one or both levels as the participation tag can be streamed to cater for both newer/novice and more experienced schools:
Participation Tag:
- Open to all secondary aged girls and ideal for novice/newer schools or younger teams.
- Team size minimum 7 up to 10-a-side (squad size up to 17).
- Run on a local blitz format at various locations throughout the week commencing 5th March.
- Requires only one day out of school.
Girls’ Tag Schools Cup Finals Day:
- Open to all secondary aged girls but more suited to the more experienced Tag schools or older players.
- 10-a-side with squad size of 17.
- Run on a one-day blitz format at Mid-Ulster Sports Arena Cookstown on Friday 20th April with an 11am start.
- Winners awarded with Danske Bank Ulster Girls’ Schools Tag Cup.
CONTACT RUGBY
Contact rugby will be available using a modified half-pitch cross-field version of the game. Teams will be 7-a-side and will be divided into Junior and Senior age categories. Junior teams will be made up of players born between 1/7/2002 and 30/6/2005 (NI Yr9-11, ROI Yr1-3) and Senior teams will be comprised of players born between 1/1/1999 and 30/6/2002 (NI Yr12-14, ROI Yr4-6). Please note the Senior will use a 3½ year age band due to the different school age ranges between NI and ROI. This has been done to facilitate the All-Ireland Senior X7s Competition.
Please note there may be coaching support available for schools with the desire to get involved but don’t have suitable coaching staff available.
There will be two options available to schools for 7s rugby.
Participation 7s:
- A specially designated “nursery pitch” will be reserved for use by newer schools for both junior and senior teams.
- Teams can attend as many or as few events as they wish.
Competition 7s:
- Junior and Senior Ulster X7s Schools Cups.
- Teams get points for attendance at each event as well as points for placings at each event. Top two Junior and Senior teams after Blitz 3 will go into their respective Final.
- Squad size of 14 permitted.
| When | Where | What |
| Wed 25th Oct 11-2 | Mid-Ulster Sports Arena | All Junior and Senior Teams* |
| Tues 19th Dec 11-2 | Mid-Ulster Sports Arena | All Junior and Senior Teams |
| Wed 28th Feb 11-2 | Mid-Ulster Sports Arena | All Junior and Senior Teams |
| Wed 21st March Midday | Kingspan Stadium | Ulster Senior Girls Schools X7s Cup Final |
| Thurs 22nd March 11-2 | Mid-Ulster Sports Arena | Ulster Junior Girls Schools X7s Cup Final plus all other Junior and Senior teams not involved in their respective Finals |
* Top 4 Senior Competition Teams qualify for IRFU National 7s competition at Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday 8th November where they will play the top 4 schools from Connacht, Leinster and Munster to challenge for the All Ireland X7s Cup. Bus subsidy of €;200 provided by IRFU.
If you would like further information on any of the above please do not hesitate to contact Ulster Rugby’s Female Rugby Officer at: 07767 115 764 or Neal.Johnston@Ulsterrugby.com