Schools Rugby
Schools Rugby
Introduction to Schools Rugby
Danske Bank Schools’ Cup
The Danske Bank Schools’ Cup is the world’s second oldest rugby competition (after the Hospitals Cup), having been competed for every year since 1876. It is run by the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and has been sponsored by Danske Bank since 2005.
The competition kicks off in December, while the traditional St Patrick’s Day Final at Affidea Stadium is one of the great occasions in the rugby calendar and eagerly anticipated by all followers of the game.
As well as the main School’s Cup competition, the tournament also includes a number of subsidiary competitions including the Schools’ Bowl, Medallion Shield, Subsidiary Shield, and Schools’ Trophy.
Danske Bank Girls Schools’ Cup
Danske Bank Girls Schools’ X7s Cup
The cross-field 7s (contact) version of the Girls Schools’ Cup is played off over a four event series throughout October, December, February and March.
There are Junior and Senior competitions available for schools to enter, culminating in the Senior Final at Affidea Stadium and the Junior Finals played as a blitz format at the Mid-Ulster Sports Arena.
Danske Bank Girls Schools’ Tag Cup
The Tag (non-contact) competition is open to all secondary school aged girls but is primarily aimed at the more experienced Tag schools or older players.
Games are 10-a-side and are held on a one-day blitz format in March/April at the Mid-Ulster Sports Arena.
Girls Schools’ Development Tag
Development Tag is an option available to secondary schools who possibly aren’t ready for competitive competitions.
It is open to all secondary school aged girls but aimed at newer schools or younger teams.
Games are played up to 10-a-side (minimum of 7) and are run on a regional blitz format in March.
High Schools Rugby
High Schools rugby within the Province is aimed at providing developing and non-traditional rugby schools the opportunity to play more regularly. While these are all structured competitions the primary objective is to give the participants more opportunities to play. Below is a list of current competitions.
U18 High Schools Cup
Knockout competition running September to December.
U16 Pollock Cup
Regional pool competition with the top teams from each pool competing in a provincial knockout competition for the Pollock Cup. Begins in September with the final in December. Also used to tier the further U16 competitions below
U16 High Schools Trophy & Plate
Knockout competitions with teams seeded from their performance in the U16 Pollock cup. Runs from January to March.
U16 High Schools Shield
Regional Blitz Qualifiers, followed by a Finals Day Blitz. This competition is prioritised for new schools or schools who cannot for logistical reasons commit to rugby all year round.
U14 Trophy, Plate & Shield
Regional pool Competition with the top teams from each pool competing in a provincial knockout competition for the Trophy, with the remaining schools competing for the U14 Plate & Shield. Runs from September until March.
U14 Bowl
Regional Blitz Qualifiers, followed by a Finals Day Blitz. This competition is prioritised for new schools or schools who cannot for logistical reasons commit to rugby all year round.
U13 Rugby: Let’s Play Events
Non Competitive age-grade, where we provide two regional blitz opportunities in November and February to help schools bridge the gap between YR8, 12 a-side rugby and YR10, 15-a-side rugby.
U12 Rugby: Let’s Play Events
Non Competitive age-grade, where we provide blitz opportunities in the following months: September, October, November, January, February & March
For any enquiries about High Schools rugby, please contact peter.wilson@ulsterrugby.com
Hendersons Primary Schools Festival
The Hendersons Primary Schools Mini Rugby Festival has been running for over 20 years, involving around 100 schools across the Province.
The event kicks off in April where schools participate in blitzes around their local area. This is followed by a Festival at Affidea Stadium where schools are invited to attend this event.
The focus of this Festival is about providing opportunity for all in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Resources
Player Registration
RugbyConnect has replaced Clubhouse as the sole platform for all aspects game and competition management. All players are required to register themselves individually on the system in order to participate in the season.
All transfer requests to be made through RugbyConnect. In this section you will find login links for players and clubs as well as a series of videos and guides on the system.
Visit Rugby Connect.