The window is designed to offer all age grade rugby participants a fun, inclusive rugby experience in local clubs to round out their year’s rugby activity. For those who play their rugby in school, this initiative offers the opportunity to return to the club where they started, often as mini rugby players, or for players to develop their own links to a local club to continue their rugby journey.
Festival season kicked off with four clubs present, Dungannon, City of Armagh, Clogher Valley alongside hosts, Omagh at an U16 event on Friday night. Approximately 100 players attended the event to enjoy the hospitality of their hosts, and to represent their local club.
Another U16 event took place in Belfast which saw players from 7 local clubs, braving the windy conditions of Storm Kathleen to gather for a day’s rugby at Academy RFC. There was a great effort from Ballyclare, CIYMS, Carrick, Ballymoney, Belfast High School, Belfast Harlequins & Academy to persevere in challenging conditions.
Ulster Rugby wishes to express our thanks to Omagh RFC & Academy RFC for hosting, and to Ulster Carpets, official sponsor of the Club/School Window, for their continued support.
Some other great events have been taking place across the province as part of the initiative. Portadown RFC hosted Ballynahinch U14, U16, U18 in which over 90 players took part in. Malone RFC hosted Australian Padua College for two age-grade fixtures, with a visit from past-pupil Tom O’Toole. Larne RFC hosted Carrick U18s for a competitions and Banbridge hosted Lisburn.
