IRFU initiative aims to raise funds for Ballymena Rugby Club

The IRFU (Ulster Branch) has teamed up with the Donnelly Motor Group to provide a platform for local rugby clubs to help themselves raise, potentially, over £350,000 for grassroots rugby.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Nov 2012, 16:00 BST

The ‘Your Club Your Country’ initiative will enable the 44 registered rugby clubs in Northern Ireland, including Ballymena Rugby Club to boost club finances by selling tickets for a competition to name the greatest Ulster team of the professional era.

Humphreys, Pienaar, Ward, Ferris... the competition will no doubt be discussed at length at rugby grounds around the Province, as fans try to match the selection of a media panel.

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The prizes are truly fantastic with the Donnelly Group kindly donating a new car as first prize and the IRFU putting up a long list of amazing rugby packages and tickets.

Competition tickets (limited to 800 per club) priced £10 will be sold through Ballymena Rugby Club with all proceeds going straight to the club.

Speaking at the launch at Ravenhill, IRFU (Ulster Branch) Domestic Rugby Manager David Boyd said: “By their generous support of this IRFU initiative the Donnelly Group are helping to inject much needed funds directly into 44 rugby clubs in Northern Ireland. I know that I can speak on behalf of the rugby clubs and the IRFU Ulster Branch in thanking them for their support of grassroots rugby.”

Avid rugby fan Raymond Donnelly, Director of the Donnelly Group which is Northern Ireland’s largest independent new and used car dealership said:

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“Over the past 65 years, the Donnelly Group has supported local rugby through club sponsorships at locations around our seven showrooms across the Province, including Armoy, Armagh, Ballymena, City of Derry, Dungannon and Enniskillen rugby clubs.

“Indeed we supply cars to countless rugby players, officials and supporters across Northern Ireland.

“We’re delighted to develop our support further and assist the development of grassroots rugby.

“The winner will have their pick of one of four brand new cars and we hope the choice will be much easier than picking the greatest Ulster team of the professional era!”

“Good luck to everyone that enters and I look forward to discussing the greatest selection with the winner.”

The winner will be announced on Tuesday 15th January 2013

Related topics:Northern IrelandUlster