The 2013/14 women's rugby season in Ulster is underway, with significant changes to both leagues and the development section.
ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE
The AIL 2N league this season consists of 5 teams - Belfast Harlequins, Cooke, Enniskillen, Sligo and Queens. Belfast Harelquins finished second in the league for the second year running last season and AIL 2 now includes Cooke, who were formerly competing in AIL1.
AIL 2N led the proceedings with the first matches taking place on 15th September ...
The 2013/14 women's rugby season in Ulster is underway, with significant changes to both leagues and the development section.
ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE The AIL 2N league this season consists of 5 teams - Belfast Harlequins, Cooke, Enniskillen, Sligo and Queens. Belfast Harelquins finished second in the league for the second year running last season and AIL 2 now includes Cooke, who were formerly competing in AIL1. AIL 2N led the proceedings with the first matches taking place on 15th September between Enniskillen v Sligo and Cooke v Harlequins with Sligo and Cooke the victors of the weekend. Sunday 22nd September saw Harlequins visit south Belfast neighbours Queen's and taste defeat by 22-5. Enniskillen were unable to field a team, with points going to Cooke, putting them top of the league. 'Skins bounced back on 29th September with an impressive 34-5 win over Queen's.
QUALIFYING LEAGUE Ulster Qualifying League teams this season are Ballymoney, Ballyshannon, Carrickfergus, Cavan and Letterkenny/Finn Valley. The Ulster Qualifying League kicked off on 22nd September with Carrick travelling to Letterkenny to take on a newly formed Letterkenny/Finn Valley side and Ballymoney taking on Ballyshannon. Carrick and Ballymoney took the points and the latter then recordeda 17-12 win over Letterkenny to leave them top of the table. Ballymoney and Carrick, last season's league finalists, will meet in a mouth watering clash on 13th October. There is sure to be fierce competition for the top spot again this season.Â
DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE Development teams have increased rapidly as a result of the IRFU 'Give it a Try' campaign and they are now a separate non-competitive section of 11 teams. This section consists of Ards, Armagh, Ballynahinch, City of Derry, Coleraine, Donegal Town, Dromore, Lisburn, Newry, Omagh and Virginia. Due to the nature of the development section, this is a non-competitive group which will train to learn the basic skills of the game and participate in blitzes to gauge success, with the aim to join the Qualifying League as soon as possible. The first blitz was held on 29th September.
YOUTH RUGBY There is a major focus on youth rugby this season, with the hope of building as many new teams as possible to act as a feeder method to the senior game, ensuring skills and experience graduating from youth to senior rugby, which is vital to the growth and success of the club, provincial and international game. There are currently 4 youth teams in existence - Bangor, Malone, Belfast Harlequins and Armagh, with their season commencing in October. There are currently 11 youth teams in development within their respective clubs - Enniskillen, Clogher Valley, Ballynahinch, Ballyclare, Carrickfergus, Lisburn, Omagh, Cavan, Virginia, Dongal Town and Finn Valley. It is hoped these teams will be formed and training as soon as possible.
The 2013/14 women's rugby season in Ulster is underway, with significant changes to both leagues and the development section.
ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE The AIL 2N league this season consists of 5 teams - Belfast Harlequins, Cooke, Enniskillen, Sligo and Queens. Belfast Harelquins finished second in the league for the second year running last season and AIL 2 now includes Cooke, who were formerly competing in AIL1. AIL 2N led the proceedings with the first matches taking place on 15th September between Enniskillen v Sligo and Cooke v Harlequins with Sligo and Cooke the victors of the weekend. Sunday 22nd September saw Harlequins visit south Belfast neighbours Queen's and taste defeat by 22-5. Enniskillen were unable to field a team, with points going to Cooke, putting them top of the league. 'Skins bounced back on 29th September with an impressive 34-5 win over Queen's.
QUALIFYING LEAGUE Ulster Qualifying League teams this season are Ballymoney, Ballyshannon, Carrickfergus, Cavan and Letterkenny/Finn Valley. The Ulster Qualifying League kicked off on 22nd September with Carrick travelling to Letterkenny to take on a newly formed Letterkenny/Finn Valley side and Ballymoney taking on Ballyshannon. Carrick and Ballymoney took the points and the latter then recordeda 17-12 win over Letterkenny to leave them top of the table. Ballymoney and Carrick, last season's league finalists, will meet in a mouth watering clash on 13th October. There is sure to be fierce competition for the top spot again this season.Â
DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE Development teams have increased rapidly as a result of the IRFU 'Give it a Try' campaign and they are now a separate non-competitive section of 11 teams. This section consists of Ards, Armagh, Ballynahinch, City of Derry, Coleraine, Donegal Town, Dromore, Lisburn, Newry, Omagh and Virginia. Due to the nature of the development section, this is a non-competitive group which will train to learn the basic skills of the game and participate in blitzes to gauge success, with the aim to join the Qualifying League as soon as possible. The first blitz was held on 29th September.
YOUTH RUGBY There is a major focus on youth rugby this season, with the hope of building as many new teams as possible to act as a feeder method to the senior game, ensuring skills and experience graduating from youth to senior rugby, which is vital to the growth and success of the club, provincial and international game. There are currently 4 youth teams in existence - Bangor, Malone, Belfast Harlequins and Armagh, with their season commencing in October. There are currently 11 youth teams in development within their respective clubs - Enniskillen, Clogher Valley, Ballynahinch, Ballyclare, Carrickfergus, Lisburn, Omagh, Cavan, Virginia, Dongal Town and Finn Valley. It is hoped these teams will be formed and training as soon as possible.