The Taggers entertained the Portadown Panthers and Ballymena Bears, involving about 65 players. It was a very enjoyable morning’s rugby with a fine display of skills by all of the teams.
Following the blitz the teams were provided with some hospitality courtesy of Tesco and the inaugural presentation of the Briggs Shield took place; with Harry Briggs presenting to the Portadown Panthers. The Briggs family donated the shield to the IRFU (Ulster Branch) requesting that it be used in the disability and inclusion programme. IRFU (Ulster Branch) in consultation with the Special Needs Tag Advisory Group (STAG) suggested that the shield be presented at each of the monthly blitzes to the club demonstrating most overall development and sportsmanship.
Commenting at the presentation, Mr Briggs stated, "My family and I are delighted to present the Briggs Shield to Portadown Panthers and can I congratulate each and every one of you on what was a wonderful display of rugby this morning. We are delighted to be involved and I look forward to next month when the Panthers host the blitz at Portadown RFC."
Nigel Cinnamon, Chairman of Newforge Taggers, closed by thanking Ballymena Bears and the Portadown Pathers for attending and thanked Nigel Dobson and all of the staff at University of Ulster, Jordanstown, for their continued support.
DATES FOR FUTURE BLITZES:
Sunday 6th April 2014
Portadown Panthers, Portadown RFC
10am-12.30pm
Sunday 1st June 2014
Stevenson Sharks, Dungannon RFC
11am-1pm
Friday 6th/Saturday 7th June 2014
The Wooden Spoon International Tag Festival
Ravenhill Rugby Grounds
For further information contact Tim Craig, Ulster Rugby's Disability & Inclusion Officer - Tim.Craig@ulsterrugby.com - 07442490460.
The growth of tag rugby for those with learning disabilities has been made possible due to the generous support of the NI Executive and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure through the 'Promoting Equality, Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion through Sport' programme.