‘UR Game’ success at NI Prisons

Ulster Rugby staff, prison officers and inmates played a full-contact game of rugby at HMP Maghaberry on Monday 25 November, under the watchful eye of Richard Kerr, IRFU Ulster Branch Referee Development Manager. Ulster Rugby Blues beat Ulster Rugby Whites 10-9 in a highly competitive game. The match was the culmination of a 10-week structured programme delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency in HMPs Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood College. The programme also formed part of Ulster Rugby’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy, ‘Rugby at the Heart of the Community’, which delivers a wide range of initiatives in the fields of social inclusion, mental health, education and good relations. The 10-week programme consisted of rugby training, educational modules and a Q&A session with current Ulster Rugby players to learn about the highs and lows of professional sport. Participants from HMP Maghaberry have also started taking a lead on various aspects of the training while developing their own coaching skills, with some of those who took part in last year’s programme now assisting new players. A progression from last year has seen the roll-out of a women’s programme in Hydebank College Wood. Numbers have been encouraging, growing week-on-week with fun games and rugby skills development proving a big hit. Fiona Teague, Acting Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement (West) said: “The Public Health Agency (PHA) welcomes this contribution to the ‘healthy prisons’ or ‘whole prison’ approach adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). “The PHA is pleased to be part of this important partnership with Ulster Rugby. The benefits of exercise and positive mental health and wellbeing are well evidenced. This project showcases how taking part in rugby has led to a number of positive outcomes including players having more energy and enthusiasm, improved confidence and self-esteem as well as improved physical health and wellbeing. “The Public Health Agency is pleased to have provided funding for Walking Rugby/UR Game programmes ” The Ulster Rugby ‘UR Game’ evaluation document can be found here.