New Rugby opportunities for Secondary School Girls

Girls' Secondary Schools Rugby has seen substantial growth over the last few years.

In the 2014/15 season 67 teams form 64 schools took part in the Danske Bank Girls' Tag Schools Cup.  In the 2015/16 season Ulster Rugby introduced the full-contact cross-pitch 7-a-side (X7s) format of the game and 21 teams from 15 schools took part. To try and meet the needs of all schools and player experience levels, this year Ulster Rugby are offering Tag and X7s rugby on both a participation and competitive-basis.
 
With 2017 being the year of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland, we want to make this year’s events the biggest so far! Below is some information outlining the various formats of the game on offer to Girls' Secondary Schools. 
 
If you would like further information or would like your school to be involved in this year's events please get in touch with Ulster Rugby's Female Rugby Officer, Neal Johnston on 07767 115 764 or neal.johnston@ulsterrugby.com
 
Entries for all formats of the game will close at 9am on Tuesday 31st January.  Tag event venues and timings will be confirmed by Friday 3rd February and will be based on the geographical spread of the schools involved.  The X7s event will take place on Thursday 2nd March and the again the venue will be based on the geographical spread of the schools involved.
 
Below is information relating to various formats of the game available:
 
 
Option 1 Development Tag ·       Open to all secondary aged girls but aimed at newer schools or younger teams
·       Minimum 7 up to 10-a-side
·       Run on a blitz format
·       Requires only one day out of school
·       NOT eligible to qualify for Finals at Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday 21st March
Option 2 Competitive Tag ·       Open to all secondary aged girls but aimed at the more experienced Tag schools or older players 
·       10-a-side
·       Competitive format means a minimum of one and a maximum of three days out of school
·       Danske Bank Girls’ Tag Schools Cup awarded to winning team on Final held at Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday 21st March 2017 meaning
Option 3 Development X7s ·       Half-pitch contact 7-a-side format of the game
·       Aimed at development level/less experienced players and schools
·       One-day blitz format Thursday 2nd March
·       Open to both Junior and Senior Teams
 
Option 4 Competitive X7s ·       Winners awarded Ulster Girls’ Schools X7s Trophy
·       Junior and Senior Competitions available
·       Held on a one-day blitz format Thursday 2nd March
 
All teams participating in the X7s will be offered a bye to quarter final stage of Danske Bank Girls Tag Schools Cup if they wish to avail of it.
 
DOB eligibilities for X7s  
Junior teams 1st July 2001 - 30th June 2004
Senior teams 1st January 1998 - 30th June 2001
 
The proposed schedule for this year is as follows:
 
Week commencing 27th February
 
Development Tag blitzes and Competitive Tag qualifiers run at regional locations throughout the week 
 
Development and Competitive X7s run on one day of the week at one central venue 
Week commencing 13th March
 
Competitive Tag Quarter and Semi Final stages
 
Tuesday 21st March
 
Danske Bank Girls’ Tag Schools Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium